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Whitethroat moray (Gymnothorax phalarus) — Muraenidae

Whitethroat moray

Gymnothorax phalarus
Family: Muraenidae

The Whitethroat moray (Gymnothorax phalarus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 93 cm.

Length
92.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
23.0–339.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The whitethroat moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 93 cm and has an elongate, snake-shaped, dark-brown, scaleless body with a pale throat. As a nocturnal reef predator it hides by day in crevices and holes and seizes fish and crustaceans at night. It bites fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Whitethroat moray?

The Whitethroat moray has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Whitethroat moray live?

The Whitethroat moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Whitethroat moray get?

The Whitethroat moray grows to a maximum of about 93 cm.

Is the Whitethroat moray dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Whitethroat moray edible?

Yes, the Whitethroat moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witkeel-murene sourced
English name
Whitethroat moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax phalarus
Family
Muraenidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
23.0 verified
Max depth (m)
339.0 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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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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