Description:

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

A slender, medium sized moray with small eyes, a short rounded snout and short tubes for front and rear nostrils. Mouth long. Teeth slender, sharp,
2 rows on jaws, at least anteriorly. Teeth in front of upper jaw and in inner series larger. Tail very short, with blunt, skin-covered tip. Dorsal and anal
fins greatly reduced and only visible near tip of tail.

Colour: Yellow to orange-brown body with dark blotches (yellow-edged) and spots of varying sizes becoming smaller on the head. Front of head, snout & 
jaws with dense small dark spots and dot. Nostrils dark.

Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 140 cm TL.

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits lagoons and seaward reefs (depth 8-25m). Associated with sandy areas of rocky and coral reefs. Secretive. Nocturnal. Feeds on small fishes and 
crustaceans.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. If subject to the artisanal fishery, it is a very rare component of the catch.

Notes:

Photographed Baie Ternay, Mahe. 

References:

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2023). FishBase. Scuticaria tigrina. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/7450 (11/10/23). 
Mason-Parker, C. et al. (2021). Scuticaria tigrina in Reef Fishes of Seychelles. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd, UK.
Smith, D.G. et al. (2019). Scuticaria tigrina. The IUCN Red List 2019: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T195816A2422080.en. (11/10/23).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4
Smith, J.L.B. & Smith, M.M. (1963). The Fishes of Seychelles. Department of Ichthyology. Rhodes University. Grahamstown. 
STRI (2015). Scuticaria tigrina, Tiger reef-eel. https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/sftep/en/thefishes/species/316 (11/10/23). 

Citation:

Mason-Parker, C. & Nevill, J.E.G. (2023). Scuticaria tigrina, Tiger moray. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/scuticaria-tigrina-lesson-1828/