Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 0.
One row of 1-3 canines at the front centre of upper jaw. Sides of upper jaw with 2 rows of teeth, the outer one larger at front of upper jaw. A large yellowish moray with a densely mottled dark brown pattern, front of head purplish-grey. Blackish at corner of mouth. Yellowish green posterior fin margins. Blackish blotch at gill openings. Juveniles may have brown blotches on a bright yellow background.  
 

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range 65 - ?cm TL. Max Length: 240 cm TL. 

Benthic, occurs in coral or rocky areas of reef flats and to seaward reefs (depth 1-150m, usually 3m and deeper). Solitary and curious, usually seen with head protruding from a crevice in the reef. Feeds on cephalopods, fishes, and crustaceans.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the trap and hand line fisheries, but is a rare 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 flavimarginatus in Fishes of Australia, (10/06/19), http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2039 

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-flavimarginatus (10/06/19).