Scientific Name
Muraena argus

Common Name
White-spotted moray

Biology
Inhabits deep, rocky, boulder strewn areas and walls. Lurks in holes, crevices and dark recesses. Constantly opens and closes its mouth, an action required for respiration, not a threat (Ref. 5227).

Classification

Classified By

Steindachner, 1870

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Eels and Morays (Anguilliformes)

Family

Moray eels (Muraenidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Peru (Ref. 35581) and the Galapagos Islands.

Range

24°N - 2°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

18 m

Depth To - meters

60 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 18 - 60 m (Ref. 5227)

Trophic Level

4.02 s.e. 0.62 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

120 cm

Common Length

60.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5005 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries:

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (52 of 100)

Resilience

Unknown

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)