Photo. (c) 2020 Krishna Ashok
Scientific Name: Gymnomuraena zebra
English Name: Zebra moray
Creole Name:
French Name: Murène zèbre
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)
Description:
Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0; Vertebrae: 132-137.
Elongate body. Short rounded snout. Lower jaw slightly shorter than upper. Vertical fins unclear and hidden below the tough wrinkled skin. Anus well behind mid-point of body. Teeth molariform in 2-3 rows on jaws, 5-6 on palate.
Colour. Brown to blackish body, encircled with 43-76 creamy-white narrow rings. Some rings incomplete.
Size:
Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 150cm TL, commonly to 50cm TL.
Habitat and Ecology:
A secretive inhabitant of sandy and rocky bottoms, crevices and ledges of seaward reefs (depth 1-50m, usually less than 4m). Benthic. Feeds primarily on xanthid crabs, but also on other crustaceans, molluscs and sea urchins.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It does not appear to be subject to the artisanal fishery.
Notes:
Photo courtesy of Krishna Ashok.
References:
Anam, R. & Mostarda, E. (2012). FIELD IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO THE LIVING MARINE RESOURCES OF KENYA. UNFAO Rome, 2012. ISBN 978-92-5-107239-4
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.in/summary/Gymnomuraena-zebra (27/04/20).
Smith, D.G. et al (2019). Gymnomuraena zebra. The IUCN Red List 2019: e.T195700A2404907. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T195700A2404907.en. (27/04/20).
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