Latin name

Gymnomuraena zebra

Other names

Gymnomuraena zebra

Identification

The snout is round and short. Vertebrae: 132-137. Have closely set teeth used to crush prey with hard shells.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. 

Fish colouring

The fish are densely fringed with dark and whitish stripes, giving them their common name.

Distribution

Widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific region from the east coast of Africa to the west coast of the Americas, including the Red Sea, Hawaii, and the Galapagos Islands.

Habitat

Tropical marine bottom fish, preferred habitat is rocky or coral reefs in shallow coastal waters down to 40 meters.

Size

Considered a medium sized fish, they can reach a maximum length of 150 cm. Usually the observed average size is around 50 cm. 

Behavior

They are nocturnal and actively hunt their prey. Hidden inhabitants of sandy and rocky bottoms, crevices and ledges of coastal reefs. 

Food and feeding habits

Unlike most other morays, they feed exclusively on crustaceans, sea urchins and mollusks.

Reproduction

Possibly a protogenic hermaphrodite. Primogeniture is not confirmed.

Fishing

They have little commercial value. Fished for sale to aquariums.

Relationship with a person

A species of fish that is harmless to humans.