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Broadjaw moray (Gymnothorax eurygnathos) — Muraenidae

Broadjaw moray

Gymnothorax eurygnathos
Family: Muraenidae

The Broadjaw moray (Gymnothorax eurygnathos) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
46.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–406.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Broadjaw moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from reef and rocky water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a slender, eel-like, scaleless body without pectoral fins and a mouth with sharp teeth; the skin is often spotted or marbled. As a nocturnal predator it shelters by day with only its head out of a crevice and hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid at night. It does not attack people, but can bite fiercely when threatened or handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadjaw moray?

The Broadjaw moray has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Broadjaw moray live?

The Broadjaw moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Broadjaw moray get?

The Broadjaw moray grows to a maximum of about 47 cm.

Is the Broadjaw moray dangerous to humans?

The Broadjaw moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

Is the Broadjaw moray edible?

Yes, the Broadjaw moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Breedkaak-murene sourced
English name
Broadjaw moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax eurygnathos
Family
Muraenidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
406.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gymnothorax

More from the family Muraenidae

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