Family: |
Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae |
Max. size: |
30 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 25 m |
Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Maldives to the Pitcairn group, north to the Hawaiian Islands, southwest to Samoa. Also recorded from Ouvéa Atoll, New Caledonia (Ref. 13236). |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 113-124. Greatly reduced fins restricted to the end of the tail. Mouth containing numerous needle-like teeth. Uniformly brown anteriorly becoming covered with darker brown spots on the tail.
Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 17-25 in TL; anus at or slightly anterior to middle of body; gill opening at middle of side; three rows of jaw teeth, increasing in size inwardly; median row at front of upper jaw with 2-3 canines (Ref. 90102). |
Biology: |
Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 30874, 75154), among rubble with algae and invertebrate cover (Ref. 48635, 58302). Benthic (Ref. 58302, 75154). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942. |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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