Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Scientific Name: Echidna nebulosa
English Name: Starry moray
Creole Name:
French Name: Murène étoilée
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
Description:
Body elongate, cylindrical anteriorly, compressed along tail. Snout short and blunt. Eyes relatively small. Anterior nostril a short tube, posterior nostril has a raised rim. Conical teeth in 2 rows on jaws. Dorsal fin origin on head, before gill opening. Scales absent.
Colour. Body white. 2-3 rows of large dendritic black blotches, containing a yellow spot. Eyes and anterior nostrils tubes yellow. A dark patch at the corner of mouth.
Size:
Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 100cm TL. Commonly to 50cm TL.
Habitat and Ecology:
Benthic, inhabits intertidal reef flats, shallow lagoons and seaward reefs (Depth 1-48m, usually 1-10m). Largely nocturnal. Solitary. Feeds mainly on crustaceans.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It has yet to be recorded in the artisanal fishery catch. Presumably vulnerable to hand line and spearing.
Notes:
References:
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).
Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds), (1984). FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and printed with the support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, vols 1-6.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2019. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5388 (09/06/19).
Citation: