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Barredfin moray (Gymnothorax zonipectis) — Muraenidae

Barredfin moray

Gymnothorax zonipectis
Family: Muraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barredfin moray (Gymnothorax zonipectis) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The barredfin moray is a moray eel (Muraenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an eel-shaped, scaleless body with a mottled pattern and a dark blotch at the gill opening; the dorsal, caudal and anal fins form a continuous fringe and pelvic and pectoral fins are absent. It inhabits ledges and rubble areas of outer reef slopes to at least 40 m deep, where it shelters by day. As a night hunter it takes small fishes and crustaceans. The sharp teeth can give a serious bite when handled; otherwise the fish is not aggressive.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barredfin moray?

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

Where does the Barredfin moray live?

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

How big does the Barredfin moray get?

The Barredfin moray grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Barredfin moray dangerous to humans?

No, the Barredfin moray is harmless to humans.

Is the Barredfin moray edible?

The Barredfin moray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandvin-murene sourced
English name
Barredfin moray verified
Scientific name
Gymnothorax zonipectis
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Barredfin moray; Barred-fin moray; Bartail moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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
Harmless sourced

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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