Paintspotted moray
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit reef flats and rocky intertidal shorelines. Feed on small fishes and crustaceans, sometimes leaving the water in pursuit of prey . Benthic . Simultaneous hermaphroditism is confirmed for this species . Caught with various nets . Solitary (Ref 90102). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0; Vertebrae: 128 - 135. Greyish and speckled with irregular, dark markings . Young yellowish with hollow-centered spots which becomes less conspicuous with age . Lacks the molariform teeth as well as the depressible vomerine fangs present in most Gymnothorax and have two rows of vomerine teeth . : eel-like.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Paintspotted moray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Paintspotted moray is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Simultaneous hermaphroditism is confirmed .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 100 m . Tropical; 30°N - 26°S East Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes and crustaceans, sometimes leaving the water in pursuit of prey (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gymnothorax hilonis | Jordan & Evermann | 1903 | Synonym |
| Gymnothorax thomsoni | Borodin | 1928 | Synonym |
| Muraena atomaria | Solander | 1848 | Synonym |
| Muraena elegantissima | Kaup | 1856 | Synonym |
| Muraena erythroptera | Solander | 1848 | Synonym |
| Muraena lita | Richardson | 1848 | Synonym |
| Muraena pfeifferi | Bleeker | 1853 | Synonym |
| Muraena picta | Ahl | 1789 | Synonym |
| Muraena polyophthalmus | Bleeker | 1858 | Synonym |
| Muraena pratberon | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Muraena siderea | Richardson | 1848 | Synonym |
| Muraena variegata | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Muraenophis pantherina | Lacepède | 1803 | Synonym |
| Siderea picta | Ahl | 1789 | Synonym |
| Sideria picta | Ahl | 1789 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 25 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Paintspotted moray ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.