| Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae |
| 61 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 25 m |
| Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Islas Lobos de Afuera, Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. |
|
Head and jaws very much compressed; body tapering posteriorly. Body depth at the middle about 1/13 of the entire length; the head about 1/7, measured to the branchial orifice. Jaws very narrow, sharp-pointed and equal. Gape deeply cleft. Teeth compressed at the sides, very sharp, slightly hooked and pointing backwards. Two tubular orifices above the eyes and two at the extremity of the snout. Distance of eyes from the end of the snout about twice the eye diameter. Branchial orifice and eyes of same size. Dorsal fin thick and fleshy. Color is fine dark purplish brown, with yellow circular spots; the spots mostly small. (Ref. 3157). |
| Often seen in shallow water. Remains under cover in rocky crevices during the day. Feeds mainly at night on crustaceans and fishes (Ref. 6852). Constantly opens and closes it mouth, an action required for respiration, not a threat (Ref. 5227). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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