Stats

Lifespan: 10-15 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Coral reef
Range: Atlantic Ocean
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Camouflage
Status: Rare

About

Goldentail Moray are large, elongated fish that inhabit the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. They have a distinctive appearance that makes them easy to identify. Their bodies are mottled with various shades of brown and tan, and their backs and tails are covered with a series of 12 golden, pointed spines. These spines are actually modified dorsal fins that are used for defense and camouflage.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling fry
A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Muraenidae
Genus: Gymnothorax
Species: Gymnothorax miliaris