Ribbon moray (Rhinomuraena quaesita) fish species and information / pictures of Ribbon moray - Rhinomuraena quaesita

Ribbon moray (Rhinomuraena quaesita) fish species information

Scientific Name
Rhinomuraena quaesita

Common Name
Ribbon moray

Biology
Occur in lagoon and seaward reefs. Secretive species normally hidden in sand or rubble, sometimes with only its head protruding. Feed on small fishes (Ref. 9710, 48635, 75154). Juveniles all black, males have yellow dorsal fin and females change to a nearly all yellow color, but usually with blue in the posterior (Ref. 48635). Only moray that undergoes abrupt changes in coloration and sex: it is a protandrous hermaphrodite, i.e., functioning males reverse sex to become females. Protandry is diagnosed based on colouration, but not confirmed (Ref. 84746).

Classification

Classified By
Garman, 1888
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Eels and Morays (Anguilliformes)
Family
Moray eels (Muraenidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and French Polynesia; including Marianas and Marshalls.
Range
32°N - 26°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
1 m
Depth To - meters
57 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 57 m (Ref. 37816)
Trophic Level
4.5 s.e. 0.80 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
130 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
High vulnerability (58 of 100)
Resilience
Unknown
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)