Description:

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

A small moray eel with an elongated snout. Jaws pointed and elongated, slightly curved. Tail longer than the rest of the body.

Colour: Ground colour light brownish body, with many vertical irregular dark brownish bars on body side. Tail with oblique, thick, comb-like, dark­
brownish band. Fine white speckling towards the anterior of the body and irregular dark marks, bordered by white, behind the eye. Head markings more 
distinct in juveniles, adults can be plain brown. 

Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 50 cm TL.

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits outer reef slopes (depth 8-40 m, usually 20-40 m). Associated with coral and rubble areas. Usually in caves below 20 m. Nocturnal. Benthic. 
Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.
 

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It does not appear to be subject to the artisanal fishery. 

Notes:

Photographed at Baie Ternay, Mahé.
First recorded in Seychelles in 1994 (Randall & van Egmond), who recorded the species at D'Arros, St Jospeh and Beau Vallon, Mahe. 

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).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2023). FishBase. Gymnothorax zonipectis, Barredfin moray. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-zonipectis.html (23/05/23).    
Mason-Parker, C. et al. (2021). Gymnothorax zonipectis in Reef Fishes of Seychelles. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd, UK.
McGrouther, M. (2020). Bartail Moray, Gymnothorax zonipectis. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/bartail-moray-gymnothorax-zonipectis/ (23/05/23).  
Rajan P.T. et al. (2018). Gymnothorax zonipectis Seale, 1906 (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae) - an addition to the Eel Fauna of Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
and India. 118. 287-292. 10.26515/rzsi/v118/i3/2018/121779.
Randall, J.E. & van Egmond, J. (1994). Marine fishes from the Seychelles: 108 new records. Zool. Verh. Leiden 297:43-83.
Smith, D.G. (2019). Gymnothorax zonipectis. The IUCN Red List 2019: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T195808A2420808.en. (23/05/23).

Citation:

Mason-Parker, C. & Nevill, J.E.G. (2023). Gymnothorax zonipectis, Bartail moray. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/gymnothorax-zonipectis-seale-1906/