Gymnothorax phasmatodes (Smith, 1962)
Ghost moray
Gymnothorax phasmatodes
photo by Erdmann, M.V.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  46 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Mozambique and Mauritius (Ref. 33390); Oman (Ref. 11441); Philippines south to Australia, east to Papua New Guinea (Ref 90102).
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 166-170. Pale yellow, lighter ventrally (Ref. 3257). Dorsal margin light blue (Ref. 3257). Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 30-33 in TL; long and slender body; origin of dorsal fin anterior to gill opening; anus at about middle of the body; compressed, acutely triangular and retorse teeth in single row in jaws; 2-3 intermaxillary canines in median row (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in sand or rubble bottoms. Also in Shallow water, often in tidepools (Ref 90102). Nocturnal, feeds on small reef organisms (Ref. 68964).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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