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Starry moray (Gymnothorax nudivomer) — Muraenidae

Starry moray

Gymnothorax nudivomer
Family: Muraenidae

The Starry moray (Gymnothorax nudivomer) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 180 cm.

Length
180 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–271.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite

Description

The Starry moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 180 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The dark body is scattered with white star-spots and the mouth cavity is bright yellow; the skin mucus is toxic, so do not eat. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices of coral and rocky reefs by day and seizes fish, crustaceans and squid at night. It bites fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Starry moray?

The Starry moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Starry moray live?

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

How big does the Starry moray get?

The Starry moray grows to a maximum of about 180 cm.

Is the Starry moray dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sterrenmurene sourced
English name
Starry moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax nudivomer
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Yellow-mouth eel; Yellowmouth moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
180.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
271.0 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

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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