Yellowmouth Moray, also known as the Starry Moray, is known by the scientific name Gymnothorax nudivomer.
This eel belongs to the Muraenidae family and is usually found in oceanic areas. It lives on both inner and outer reef slopes and stays close to the bottom of the sea.
You need to be careful as its mucus is toxic. Also, this eel isn’t safe for coral reefs.
Yellowmouth Moray Interesting Facts
- Yellowmouth Moray grows up to 70.9 inches (180.0 centimeters) long and has a distinct yellow inside of its mouth.
- This eel thrives in tropical waters between latitudes of 30°N to 23°S, with habitats extending from the Red Sea to Hawaii.
- It typically resides at depths ranging from 2 to 271 meters, most commonly around 30 meters deep.
- The species’ toxic mucus is dangerous to humans and this eel is unsafe for coral reefs.
Yellowmouth Moray Habitat
Yellowmouth Moray lives in the Indo-Pacific region. Its habitat extends from the Red Sea and South Africa’s Transkei to Hawaii and the Marquesan Islands.
It’s also found as far north as the Ryukyu Islands and south to New Caledonia.
Yellowmouth Moray typically resides in reef-associated environments at depths ranging from 2 to 271 meters (6.5 to 889 feet). However, it’s most commonly found around 30 meters (98 feet) deep.
This marine eel thrives in tropical waters between latitudes of 30°N to 23°S.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Yellowmouth Moray Physical Characteristics
Size: 70.9 inches (180.0 centimeters)
Yellowmouth Moray grows up to 70.9 inches (180.0 centimeters) long. It has no dorsal or anal spines, nor any soft rays.
Its body is dark yellow-brown with small spots that vary in size and spacing along its length. The inside of its mouth is yellow.
Yellowmouth Moray has a short, blunt snout, and the larger ones don’t have certain teeth called vomerine and median intermaxillary teeth.
Its biggest teeth are finely serrated, and its jaws don’t arch even in large specimens.
Yellowmouth Moray Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Gymnothorax |
| Scientific Name: | Gymnothorax nudivomer |
| Also Known As: | Yellowmouth Moray, Starry Moray |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |