The greyface moray eel, also called the freckled moray, slender moray, or white-eyed moray,[1] Gymnothorax thyrsoideus, is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.
| Greyface moray eel | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Gymnothorax |
| Species: | G. thyrsoideus
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| Binomial name | |
| Gymnothorax thyrsoideus | |
Description
editThe Greyface moray is a medium-sized fish that is most commonly observed at lengths of around 40 cm, reaching a maximum length of 66 cm.[2][3] Its body is serpentine in shape, is speckled with small dark spots and has a predominantly beige color that can vary in strength between different eels . The head is grey with distinctive white eyes.
Distribution and habitat
editThe greyface moray is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific area from India and the Maldives to Polynesia and from south Japan to Australia and New Caledonia.[3]
This moray likes shallow and somewhat turbid waters from lagoons, protected reefs and areas rich in debris like wrecks around 35 meters deep.[4]
Biology
editThe greyface moray is a carnivore of benthic fish. During the day, it sits in a shelter, often with other morays. When night arrives it leaves its lair and actively hunts prey, consisting of small fish and crustaceans.
References
edit- ^ Common names for Gymnothorax thyrsoideus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: University of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
- ^ a b Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene 1990 Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 506 p.
- ^ Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: University of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
External links
edit- Photos of Greyface moray eel on Sealife Collection
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