Stout Moray, Gymnothorax eurostus (Abbott 1860)


Other Names: Abbott's Moray, Indo-Pacific Stout Moray, Spotted Moray, White-speckled Moray

A Stout Moray, Gymnothorax eurostus, at Lord Howe Island, Tasman Sea. Source: Andrew J. Green / Reef life Survey. License: CC by Attribution

Summary:
A brownish moray with irregular yellow and black markings, and a white margin on the tail. The Stout Moray is darker posteriorly with more markings.
Video of a Stout Moray, Gymnothorax eurostus.

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J., Gymnothorax eurostus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 13 Oct 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/2037

Stout Moray, Gymnothorax eurostus (Abbott 1860)

More Info


Distribution

Houtman Abrohlos to the Dampier Archipelago, WA, and from One Tree Island, QLD, to at least Swansea, NSW; also at Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island in the Tasman Sea. Elsewhere, the species is widespread in the Indo-Pacific with an anti-tropical distribution.

Inhabits coastal reefs, hiding in crevices, caves and under ledges during the day in depths to 25 m.

Size

To 60 cm

Colour

Highly variable in colour, from tan to brown with a spotted head, and irregular darker spots superimposed over pale yellow spots, often appearing as a reticulated pattern on the tail.

Feeding

Carnivore - a voracious nocturnal predator feeding mostly on reef fishes.

Fisheries

Of no interest to fisheries.

Conservation


Author

Bray, D.J.

Stout Moray, Gymnothorax eurostus (Abbott 1860)

References


Abbott, C.C. 1860. Description of new species of apodal fishes in the museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 12: 475-479.

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls.

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls.

Böhlke, E.B. & McCosker, J.E. 2001. The moray eels of Australia and New Zealand, with the description of two new species (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae). Records of the Australian Museum 53: 71-102 figs 1-10

Böhlke, E.B., McCosker, J.E. & Smith, D.G. 1999. Family Muraenidae. pp. 1643-1657 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 1397-2068 pp.

Castle, P.H.J. & McCosker, J.E. 1986. Family No. 41: Muraenidae. pp. 165-176 in Smith, M.M. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Smith's Sea Fishes. Johannesburg : Macmillan South Africa xx + 1047 pp. 144 pls.

Choat, J.H., van Herwerden, L., Robbins, W.D., Hobbs, J.P. & Ayling, A.M. 2006. A report on the ecological surveys undertaken at Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs, February 2006. Report by James Cook University to the Department of the Environment and Heritage. 65 pp.

Coleman, N. 1981. Australian Sea Fishes North of 30°S. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 297 pp.

Francis, M. 1993. Checklist of the coastal fishes of Lord Howe, Norfolk, and Kermadec Islands, southwest Pacific Ocean. Pacific Science 47(2): 136-170 figs 1-2

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp.

Hutchins, J.B. 2001. Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 63: 9-50

Johnson, J.W. 1999. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 709-762

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp.

Randall, J.E. & McCosker, J.E. 1975. The eels of Easter Island with a description of a new moray. Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Science Bulletin 264: 1-32 figs 1-15

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs.

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs.

Waite, E.R. 1904. Additions to the fish-fauna of Lord Howe Island. No. 4. Records of the Australian Museum 5(3): 135-186 fig. 32 pls 17-24

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37060034

Behaviour:Nocturnal predator

Depth:1-25 metres

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:60 cm TL

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