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White-margined moray (Enchelycore schismatorhynchus) — Muraenidae

White-margined moray

Enchelycore schismatorhynchus
Family: Muraenidae

The White-margined moray (Enchelycore schismatorhynchus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5–35 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cook Is., Fiji and others

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Description

The White-margined moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 120 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body with conspicuously curved jaws that do not fully close, leaving the long, glass-sharp fangs exposed. The brown body has white-edged fins and a pale snout. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices by day and seizes fish and squid at night. It bites fiercely and the sharp teeth inflict deep wounds; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White-margined moray?

The White-margined moray has a snake-like body and is mainly brown. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

Where does the White-margined moray live?

The White-margined moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cook Is., Fiji and others

How big does the White-margined moray get?

The White-margined moray grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.

Is the White-margined moray dangerous to humans?

The White-margined moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Do not feed or reach into crevices. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Moray bites are deep and prone to infection: always have them assessed medically and check tetanus status.

More photos

White-margined moray (Enchelycore schismatorhynchus) — Muraenidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
White-margined moray (Enchelycore schismatorhynchus) — Muraenidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
White-margined moray (Enchelycore schismatorhynchus) — Muraenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Yurii Basov, some rights reserved (CC BY))
White-margined moray (Enchelycore schismatorhynchus) — Muraenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
White-margined moray sourced
Scientific name
Enchelycore schismatorhynchus
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Funnel-nostril moray; Moray eel; White-margined moray; Brown moray eel verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5 verified
Max depth (m)
35 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cook Is., Fiji and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified
First aid
Do not feed or reach into crevices. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Moray bites are deep and prone to infection: always have them assessed medically and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Enchelycore

More from the family Muraenidae

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