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Blacknose false moray (Kaupichthys atronasus) — Chlopsidae

Blacknose false moray

Kaupichthys atronasus
Family: Chlopsidae

The Blacknose false moray (Kaupichthys atronasus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chlopsidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–20 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and others

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Description

The Blacknose false moray is a false moray (Chlopsidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a slender, eel-like, scaleless body with a small head and long, confluent fins. As a cryptic, nocturnal dweller it wriggles deep among coral rubble, crevices and holes and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacknose false moray?

The Blacknose false moray has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Blacknose false moray live?

The Blacknose false moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Blacknose false moray get?

The Blacknose false moray grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Blacknose false moray dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacknose false moray is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blacknose false moray (Kaupichthys atronasus) — Chlopsidae — 2
Mark McGrouther (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Blacknose false moray (Kaupichthys atronasus) — Chlopsidae — 3
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ

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All data

Identification

English name
Blacknose false moray sourced
Scientific name
Kaupichthys atronasus
Family
Chlopsidae
Other names
Blacknose reef eel; Black-nostril false moray; Blackrose reef eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
20 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Japan and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Kaupichthys

More from the family Chlopsidae

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