Masked Moray, Gymnothorax breedeni McCosker & Randall 1977
Other Names: Blackcheek Moray, Twinspot Grouper
A Masked Moray, Gymnothorax breedeni - Mozambique, Southern Mozambique, Ponta Mamoli. Source: Barry Skinstad / FishWise Professional. License: CC BY Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike
Summary:
A brown moray mottled with paler brown flecks, and a large irregular black band running diagonally from the lower corner of the eye.
The Masked Moray is territorial and may be aggressive if provoked. The species has reportedly bitten divers at Christmas Island.
The Masked Moray is territorial and may be aggressive if provoked. The species has reportedly bitten divers at Christmas Island.
Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Gymnothorax breedeni in Fishes of Australia, accessed 07 Oct 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4948
Masked Moray, Gymnothorax breedeni McCosker & Randall 1977
More Info
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Distribution |
Recorded from the Australian territory of Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. The species occurs elsewhere in the Indo-west-central Pacific. Inhabits reef crevices and holes on outer reef slopes of oceanic islands. The eels have been seen sharing their "homes" with anthiids, such as Scalefin Anthias, Pseudanthias squamipinnis. |
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Feeding |
Feeds on fishes and octopuses. |
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Etymology |
Named breedeni in honour of Vic. E. Breeden, President of the Charlene H. Breeden Foundation, which made the study of Comoran fishes possible. |
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Species Citation |
Gymnothorax breedeni McCosker & Randall 1977, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. (4)41(3): 162, Figs. 1-3. Type locality: Itsandra, Grande Comore Island, Comoro Islands, Indian Ocean. |
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Author |
Dianne J. Bray |
Masked Moray, Gymnothorax breedeni McCosker & Randall 1977
References
Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp.
Allen, G.R. & Steene, R.C. 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 197 pp.
Kuiter, R.H. 1998. Photo guide to fishes of the Maldives. Atoll Editions, Victoria, Australia. 257 pp.
McCosker, J.E. & Randall, J.E. 1977. Three new species of Indo-Pacific moray eels (Pisces: Muraenidae). Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. (4)41(3): 161-168. PDF at BHL
Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. A comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia. Guam : Coral Graphics vi 330 pp. 192 pls.
Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific. New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press 707 pp.
