Gymnothorax melatremus Schultz, 1953
Dwarf moray
Gymnothorax melatremus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 58 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Marquesas and MangarĂ©va, north to the Hawaiian Islands, south to the Australs.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 132-149. Golden in color with dark spot around gill opening (Ref. 3257). May also be variable from brown to bright golden yellow and eye with deep blue color (Ref. 48635). Has short conical teeth like those of G. fuscomaculatus and G. marshallensis (Ref. 37816). Further characterized by body depth at gill opening 13-20 in TL; origin of dorsal fin about midway between gill opening and corner of mouth; anus anterior to middle of body; small and stout teeth; without canines; single row of teeth at front of upper jaw; with 1-2 median teeth; teeth in two rows on each side of upper jaw; longer and more slender inner row teeth; larger teeth at front of lower jaw (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Benthic (Ref. 58302). Lives in holes and crevices of seaward reefs from the surge zone to over 26 m. Solitary and secretive in reef crevices; seldom seen (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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