Gymnothorax richardsonii (Bleeker, 1852)
Richardson's moray
Gymnothorax richardsonii
photo by Tonozuka, T.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  34 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 15 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 33390) to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyus, south to the Cook Islands; Mariana and Caroline islands in Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 112-117. Dark brown with darker mottling, a lighter chin and throat, and white margins around the lip pores. Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 13-19 in TL; low dorsal fin; origin of dorsal fin above or slightly anterior to gill opening; anus at or near middle of body; preanal length 1.9-2.1 in TL; triangular and compressed teeth, slanting backwards; 1-3 teeth usually present at front of upper jaw in median row; vomer with short conical teeth, in two rows in large adults (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow lagoons and seaward reefs. Often under large, loose dead coral pieces (Ref. 30404). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Solitary (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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