Whitemargin moray eel

Whitemargin moray eel
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Muraenidae
Genus: Gymnothorax
Species: G. albimarginatus
Binomial name
Gymnothorax albimarginatus
(Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)

The whitemargin moray or the white-edged moray,[1] Gymnothorax albimarginatus, is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

Description

The whitemargin moray is considered as a medium-sized fish which can reach 105 cm long.[2] Its snout is rounded.Its body coloration can vary off-white to beige with a characteristic white margin on the outer edge of the dorsal fin that runs through its body from the back of the skull to the tip of the tail.[3]

Distribution & habitat

The whitemargin moray is widespread throughout the tropical waters of Indo-Pacific area from the eastern part of Indonesia to the oceanic islands in the Ocean Pacific, including Hawaii and Polynesia; and from South Japan down to Tonga Islands.[4]

This moray lives on the sandy slopes of the coastal reefs.[5]

Biology

The whitemargin moray is a benthic animal that lives during daytime buried in the sand or between coral blocs and comes out the evening to hunt prey.[6] Its bite is venomous.[7]

References

  1. Common names for Gymnothorax albimarginatus at www.fishbase.org.
  2. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann 2012 Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: Universitiy of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
  3. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann 2012 Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: Universitiy of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
  4. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: Universitiy of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 1. Eels- Snappers, Muraenidae - Lutjanidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 302 p.
  6. Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 1. Eels- Snappers, Muraenidae - Lutjanidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 302 p.
  7. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: Universitiy of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.

External links


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