Abbott's moray eel
| Abbott's moray eel | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Gymnothorax |
| Species: | G. eurostus |
| Binomial name | |
| Gymnothorax eurostus (C. C. Abbott, 1860) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Abbott's moray eel (Gymnothorax eurostus), also known as the stout moray and the salt and pepper moray,[1] is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae. G. eurostus is found in the Indo-Pacific, and its range exhibits an antitropical[3] distribution. It is the most common moray eel in the Hawaiian Islands.[4] Abbott's moray is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Costa Rica to Easter Island, at depths down to 74 m (243 ft).[5] With a body that is variable in color,[6] the length of this species is up to 60 cm (24 in).
Description
Abbott's moray eel reaches up to 60 cm (24 in) while containing around 120 to 123 vertebrae.[5] Lacking pectoral fins, Abbott's moray eel has skin protected by a mucus layer that is released by the goblet cells in the epidermis.[5] The color is variable,[6] ranging from reddish brown with yellow spots throughout the body,[7] to tan or brown coloring with pale spots that may have darker spots over them.[6]
Distribution and habitat
The distribution of Abbott's moray eel is temperature related, as it is found in the Indo-Pacific between latitudes 16 and 32 degrees north and south.[8] It is found throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Island, Easter Island, Austral Islands, Lord Howe Island, Heron Island, Marcus Island, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, Bazaruto Island, and Mozambique.[8] Abbott's moray eel lives in coastal reef habitats in spaces like crevices, caves, and under rocky ledges.[5] It can be found in shallow waters down to a depth of 74 m (243 ft), but is most frequently found at depths of 3 to 5 m (9.8 to 16.4 ft).[5]
Ecology and diet
Abbott's moray eel is a voracious nocturnal carnivore, feeding mostly on reef fishes.[9] Lironeca puhi is a common parasite of the Abbott's moray eel, with around 15 to 70% of the eel population being infected by the parasite.[4] An Abbott's moray eel that is infected will typically have both a female and male Lironeca in a single, left or right gill chamber.[4]
References
- 1 2 Smith, D.G.; McCosker, J.; Tighe, K. (2019). "Gymnothorax eurostus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T195723A2408174. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T195723A2408174.en. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ↑ "Gymnothorax eurostus (Abbott, 1860)". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Gymnothorax eurostus". FishBase. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- 1 2 3 Bowman, Thomas E. (1960). "Description and Notes On the Biology of Lironeca Puhi, N. Sp. (Isopoda: Cymothoidae), Parasite of the Hawaiian Moray Eel, Gymnothorax Eurostus (Abbott)". Crustaceana. 1 (2): 84–91. Bibcode:1960Crust...1...84B. doi:10.1163/156854060X00131. ISSN 0011-216X.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Abbott's moray eels | MarineBio Conservation Society". www.marinebio.org. 2026-06-26. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- 1 2 3 Böhlke, E. B.; McCosker, J. E. (2001-05-09). "The moray eels of Australia and New Zealand, with the description of two new species (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae)". Records of the Australian Museum. 53 (1): 71–102. doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.53.2001.1325. ISSN 0067-1975.
- ↑ Abbott, Charles Conrad (1860). "Description of new species of apodal fishes in the museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 12. Archived from the original on 2020-11-22.
- 1 2 Randall, John E.; Mccosker, John Edward (1975-06-30). "The eels of Easter Island with a description of a new moray". Contributions in Science. 264: 1–32. doi:10.5962/p.214392. ISSN 0459-8113.
- ↑ "Gymnothorax eurostus". fishesofaustralia.net.au. Archived from the original on 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2026-07-27.