Blackcheek moray
📖 Overview
Inhabits clear seaward reefs of oceanic islands to a depth over 25 m . Common on reef walls and steep slopes with holes . Inhabits porous coral rock which it shares with swarms of anthiases . Feeds on fishes and octopi . Territorial and will bite when provoked . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 9710.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Vertebrae: 128 - 131. Distinctive black patch mark below eye . Body brown, speckled darker; dark anus and gill opening . : eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blackcheek moray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 4 - 40 m , usually ? - 20 m . Tropical widespread in the Indian Ocean, ranging to some oceanic locations in the Pacific.
🌿 Ecology
fishes and octopi (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Black-cheek moray · Black-cheeked Moray · Masked Moray · Masked Moray, Blackcheek moray · blackcheek moray |
| 🌍CES | muréna Breedenova |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Sortkindet muræne |
| 🇩🇪German | Bartmuräne |
| 🇫🇷French | Murène masquée |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Murena guancia nera · Murena mascherata |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Hachimonjiutsubo · ハチモンジウツボ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Moréia-de-bochecha-negra |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Morena enmascarada |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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