Ecology Summary - Gymnothorax moringa

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Main Ref.	Randall, J.E., 1967
Remarks	Nocturnal (Ref. 118228). A benthic and solitary species (Ref. 26340) abundant in shallow rocky and grassy areas and on coral reefs; less common in turbid bays or harbors. Its bite is very dangerous (Ref. 5217). Cleaned by Pederson's cleaner shrimp (Periclimenes pedersoni) and goby (Gobiosoma evelynae and others) as observed on the coral reefs in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles (Ref. 36810, 58534). Prefers to move and feed both on calm and inclement nights; fish consumption was higher though on inclement nights. Specializes on crabs as prey (Ref. 54519). Typically hidden during the day, often seen with their protruding heads from holes in the reef. Forages mainly in open seagrass beds. Documented for the first time to attack and swallow whole (within 10 to 15s) an injured adult red lionfish without being enticed (Ref. 118228).

Main Ref.

Randall, J.E., 1967

Remarks

Nocturnal (Ref. 118228). A benthic and solitary species (Ref. 26340) abundant in shallow rocky and grassy areas and on coral reefs; less common in turbid bays or harbors. Its bite is very dangerous (Ref. 5217). Cleaned by Pederson's cleaner shrimp (Periclimenes pedersoni) and goby (Gobiosoma evelynae and others) as observed on the coral reefs in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles (Ref. 36810, 58534). Prefers to move and feed both on calm and inclement nights; fish consumption was higher though on inclement nights. Specializes on crabs as prey (Ref. 54519). Typically hidden during the day, often seen with their protruding heads from holes in the reef. Forages mainly in open seagrass beds. Documented for the first time to attack and swallow whole (within 10 to 15s) an injured adult red lionfish without being enticed (Ref. 118228).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

	Marine - Neritic	Marine - Oceanic	Brackishwater	Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies	supra-littoral zone littoral zone sublittoral zone	epipelagic mesopelagic epipelagic abyssopelagic hadopelagic	estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas mangroves marshes/swamps	rivers/streams lakes/ponds caves exclusively in caves

Highighted items on the list are where Gymnothorax moringa may be found.

Habitat

Substrate	: rocky;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats	Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref.	Martin, F.D. and J.W. Patus, 1984

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type	mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref.	Randall, J.E., 1967
Feeding habit	hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref.	Randall, J.E., 1967

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	Original sample		Unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition	4.50	0.80	4.32	0.70	Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
From individual food items	4.22	0.70			Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.	Randall, J.E., 1967

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