Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Anal spines: 0.
Single row of 18-19 teeth on each side of jaws. 2 premaxillary fang-like teeth. 
Brown bodied moray with distinctive large black blotch surrounding the gill opening. Lower jaw and abdomen paler and blackish corners to the mouth. Black speckles on the head that grade into leopard-like spots further back on the body. Juveniles are tan with numerous large black spots.
 

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 300cm TL. 

Benthic, found in lagoon and seaward rocky and coral reefs (depth 0-50m). Juveniles more secretive and occur on intertidal reef flats. Feeds primarily on fishes and occasionally crustaceans. This large heavy-bodied moray lives solitary in ref holes May attack humans if provoked. 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery and by handline. It the species of moray most commonly caught in the artisanal fisher, but is still a relatively uncommon component of the catch. 

Anam, R. & Mostarda, E. (2012). FIELD IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO THE LIVING MARINE RESOURCES OF KENYA. UNFAO Rome, 2012. ISBN 978-92-5-107239-4

Bray, D.J. Gymnothorax javanicus in Fishes of Australia, (11/06/19), http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2041

Chen, H-M. et al (1994). A Review of the Muraenid Eels (Family Muraenidae) from Taiwan with Descriptions of Twelve New Records. Zoological Studies 33(1) 44-64 (1994).

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2019. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-javanicus (10/06/19).