Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 0.

A large, thick, muscular moray with tapering body and short tail. The small cranium, anterior position of the eyes, and enlarged lower jaw are unique. Eye small and near tip of snout. Posterior nostril in short tube above anterior margin of eye. Snout short, tip of lower jaw projecting beyond upper; jaws very long and widely separated posteriorly. Teeth numerous, small, and pointed, all of similar size. Intermaxillary teeth in a patch of 9 teeth across anteriorly, decreasing in number and continuous with vomerine row of triserial to biserial teeth. Maxillary and dentary teeth in bands 3 to 6 rows across. Anus in posterior third of total length. Fins confined to posterior part of tail, low and inconspicuous.

Colour. Body pale brown, with 13 to 16 broad dark bars encircling head and body behind eye.  Colour varying from tan or reddish brown with brown bars to dark greyish brown with dark olive bars.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 150cm TL. Commonly to 80cm TL.

An uncommon benthic species inhabiting outer reef slopes under ledges and in holes. (Depth 5-100m, usually 7-37m). Secretive and nocturnal. Expands (puffs up) its head like a cobra when approached.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, and may also be caught by handline, but is a very rare component of the catch.

First record for Seychelles, caught in trap by Kenneth Banane off Northwest Mahé (15/07/20). Total Length 96.5cm.

Böhlke, J.E., 1981. Muraenidae. In W. Fischer, G. Bianchi and W.B. Scott (eds.) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Eastern Central Atlantic, (Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part)), Vol. 3. [var. pag.]. FAO, Rome.

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2020. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Channomuraena-vittata.html (16/07/20).

Smith, D.G. & McCosker, J. 2015. Channomuraena vittata. The IUCN Red List 2015: e.T190071A1939832. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T190071A1939832.en. (16/07/20).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2020). Seychelles Seatizens. Channomuraena vittata. https://seatizens.sc/species/channomuraena-vittata-richardson-1845/