Gymnothorax pictus (Ahl, 1789)

Description


Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0; Vertebrae: 128 - 135. Greyish and speckled with irregular, dark markings (Ref. 3257). Young yellowish with hollow-centered spots which becomes less conspicuous with age (Ref. 3257). Lacks the molariform teeth as well as the depressible vomerine fangs present in most Gymnothorax and have two rows of vomerine teeth (Ref. 37816).

Common Names


No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy


Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Anguilliformes

Family: Muraenidae

Genus: Gymnothorax

Species: Gymnothorax pictus (Ahl, 1789)

Climate Zone


  • Tropical
  • Location


    Biology


    Adults inhabit reef flats and rocky intertidal shorelines. Feed on small fishes and crustaceans, sometimes leaving the water in pursuit of prey (Ref. 9710, 48635). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Simultaneous hermaphroditism is confirmed for this species (Ref. 103751). Caught with various nets (Ref. 30573). Solitary (Ref 90102). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942.

    Habitat


    brackish