| Fimbriated moray | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Gymnothorax |
| Species: | G. fimbriatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Gymnothorax fimbriatus (E. T. Bennett, 1832) | |
The fimbriated moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus), also known as dark-spotted moray or spot-face moray, is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae.
Gymnothorax fimbriatus is a medium-sized moray which can reach a maximum length of 80 centimetres (31 in). [2] Its serpentine in shape body has a white cream to light brown background color dotted with numerous black spots which latter vary in size and shape depending on the individual and maturity. Its head has a tapered snout and it is greenish-yellow with black dots, the corners of the mouth are white.
The spot-face moray is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area, mainly on the coastal reefs of oceanic islands from Madagascar to Polynesia and from south Japan to New Caledonia. [3] [4] [5]
It lives in protected areas on the outer slopes of coral reefs, top reefs, lagoons and harbors. During the day, it sits sheltered in crevices between 1 and 50 metres (3–164 ft) deep. [6]
The fimbriated moray is carnivorous, it leaves its lair at night to actively hunt its preys along the reef. It feeds mainly on small fish and crustaceans.
