Whitemargin moray eel explained

The whitemargin moray or the white-edged moray,^[1] Gymnothorax albimarginatus, is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

Description

The whitemargin moray is considered as a medium-sized fish which can reach 105 cm long.^[2] Its snout is rounded. Its body coloration can vary off-white to beige with a characteristic white margin on the outer edge of the dorsal fin that runs through its body from the back of the skull to the tip of the tail.^[3]

Distribution & habitat

The whitemargin moray is widespread throughout the tropical waters of Indo-Pacific area from the eastern part of Indonesia to the oceanic islands in the Ocean Pacific, including Hawaii and Polynesia; and from South Japan down to Tonga Islands.^[4]

This moray lives on the sandy slopes of the coastal reefs.^[5]

Biology

The whitemargin moray is a benthic animal that lives during daytime buried in the sand or between coral blocs and comes out the evening to hunt prey.^[6] Its bite is venomous.^[7]

External links

• http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=271814
• http://www.fishbase.org/summary/52889#
• http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=635992
• http://eol.org/pages/208952/details

Notes and References

1. http://www.fishbase.org/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=52889&GenusName=Gymnothorax&SpeciesName=albimarginatus&StockCode=43930 Common names for Gymnothorax albimarginatus
2. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann 2012 Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: University of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
3. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann 2012 Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: University of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
4. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: University of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
5. Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 1. Eels- Snappers, Muraenidae - Lutjanidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 302 p.
6. Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 1. Eels- Snappers, Muraenidae - Lutjanidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 302 p.
7. Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: University of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.