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Australian mottled moray (Gymnothorax prionodon) — Muraenidae

Australian mottled moray

Gymnothorax prionodon
Family: Muraenidae

The Australian mottled moray (Gymnothorax prionodon) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Australian mottled moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from coastal waters of Australia. The species grows to about 150 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The body bears a mottled pattern of dark and pale blotches. 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 Australian mottled moray?

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

Where does the Australian mottled moray live?

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

How big does the Australian mottled moray get?

The Australian mottled moray grows to a maximum of about 150 cm. On average the species is around 80 cm.

Is the Australian mottled moray dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Australian mottled moray edible?

Yes, the Australian mottled moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Australische gemarmerde murene sourced
English name
Australian mottled moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax prionodon
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Indo-Pacific spotted moray; Mottled moray; Sawtooth moray; Saw-tooth moray; Saw-toothed eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
150.0 verified
Average length (cm)
80.0 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
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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