Abbott's moray eel
Species of fish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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).
| Abbott's moray eel | |
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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] | |
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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]