Ribbon moray (Rhinomuraena quaesita)

Scientific name: Rhinomuraena quaesita Garman, 1888

The Ribbon moray (Rhinomuraena quaesita) is a marine fish of the family Muraenidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and French Polynesia; including Marianas and Marshalls.

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. Juveniles all black, males have yellow dorsal fin and females change to a nearly all yellow color, but usually with blue in the posterior. 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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Rhinomuraena quaesita
Family: Muraenidae (Moray eels)
Order: Anguilliformes (Eels and Morays)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 130
Depth range: 1–57 m (3–187 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 57 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and French Polynesia; including Marianas and Marshalls.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial