Latin name

Gymnothorax angusticauda

Other name

Gymnothorax angusticauda

Identification

The Narrowtail moray was first named by Weber and de Beaufort in 1916. They have 143 to 147 vertebrae. The body is moderately elongated. The head and jaws are moderately sized, with the jaws fully clenched. Eyes well developed, about midway up the upper jaw. Gill openings nearly horizontal, medially lateral. The teeth of the upper jaw are arranged in a single row, about 7-14, similar in shape to the intermandibular teeth. The teeth of the lower jaw are arranged in a single row, similar in shape to the teeth of the upper jaw, about 7-19 teeth on each side. Coulter with 3-6 teeth in a single row.

Features of fish fins

The dorsal fin begins just before the gill openings, and the tail is relatively thin. 

Fish colouring

The body is medium to light brown or brownish tan. The muzzle and lower jaw are darker, the belly is sometimes white. Pores on head with conspicuous white patches, nostrils white. Fin with narrow pale edge. Iris yellow.

Distribution

Widespread in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Red Sea and around Indonesia. 

Habitat

Tropical marine bottom dwellers. Depth range from 15 to 200 meters.

Size

Maximum length 50.3 cm.

Behavior

They usually congregate in groups on sandy and muddy bottoms.

Food and feeding habits

Narrowtail morays feed on zoobenthos.

Reproduction

Development takes place through metamorphosis: from the egg hatches a leaf-shaped transparent larva, not at all like an adult fish. In the future, moray eels also undergo a sexual transformation, changing from males to females.

Fishing

There is a small commercial fishery for this species.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.