Tessellate Moray, <i>Gymnothorax favagineus</i> Click to enlarge image
A Tessellate Moray, Gymnothorax favagineus, at Horseshoe Reef, Lord Howe Island Marine Park, New South Wales. Image: Andrew Green
© Andrew Green

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Gymnothorax
    Species
    favagineus
    Family
    Muraenidae
    Order
    Anguilliformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 1.8 m in length. There are unconfirmed reports of individuals up to 3 m long.

Introduction

The Tessellate Moray is grey to pale brown with black spots on the head, body and fins. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific.



Identification

The Tessellate Moray is grey to pale brown with black spots on the head, body and fins. The spots become relatively smaller as the fish grows.


Tessellate Moray, Gymnothorax favagineus
A Tessellate Moray washed ashore alive at Tallows Beach, Byron Bay, New South Wales, 10 March 2004. Image: Ulla Kofoed
© Ulla Kofoed

Habitat

The species is found in depths from 1 m to at least 50 m.

Distribution

The Tessellate Moray occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.


Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Michael, S.W. 1998. Reef Fishes. Volume 1. A Guide to Their Identification, Behaviour, and Captive Care. Microcosm. Pp. 624.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.