Gymnothorax maderensis

Gymnothorax maderensis, Sharktooth Moray
Gymnothorax maderensis, Sharktooth Moray
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
MuraenidaeGymnothorax maderensis(Johnson)1862Sharktooth Moray

All Gymnothorax Species: Dorsal fin beginning above and near to dorsal-fin origin, well-before anus (usually on head). Anal fin beginning just behind anus. No molariform teeth, some canine teeth present. Jaws not arched, closing completely or with slight gap. Teeth not exposed when mouth is closed. Posterior nostril flush or nearly so with head profile. Gill opening with body coloration.

Gymnothorax maderensis

Unique Characters: Teeth not numerous, some long canines; intermaxillary teeth 3 rows across, maxillary teeth in 1 row (few inner teeth in young). Snout blunt, jaws short; teeth wedge-shaped and serrate, no long canines. Four pores along upper jaw. Color pattern of dark reticulations on pale body and tail, head dusky.

Similar Species:

Blackedge Moray Gymnothorax nigromarginatus

Honeycomb Moray Gymnothorax saxicola

Ocellated Moray Gymnothorax ocellatus

Gymnothorax nigromarginatus, Blackedge Moray. Source: FAO 2002.
Gymnothorax nigromarginatus, Blackedge Moray.
Source: FAO 2002.
Gymnothorax saxicola, Honeycomb Moray
Gymnothorax saxicola, Honeycomb Moray
Gymnothorax ocellatus, Ocellated Moray. Source: FAO 2002.
Gymnothorax ocellatus, Ocellated Moray.
Source: FAO 2002.

Blackedge Moray, Gymnothorax nigromarginatus. Teeth not numerous; intermaxillary teeth 3 rows across, maxillary teeth in 1 row (few inner teeth in young). Snout blunt, jaws short; teeth wedge-shaped and serrate, no long canines. Three pores along upper jaw. Head and body spotted dorsally, pale and unspotted ventrally; tail spotted or patterned, not noticeably dark. Dorsal and anal fins with body coloration and dark margins.

Honeycomb Moray,  Gymnothorax saxicola. Teeth not numerous; intermaxillary teeth 3 rows across, maxillary teeth in 1 row (few inner teeth in young). Snout blunt, jaws short; teeth wedge-shaped and serrate, no long canines. Three pores along upper jaw. Head and body spotted dorsally, pale and unspotted ventrally; tail spotted or patterned, not noticeably dark. Dorsal fin with black and white pattern, anal fin without pattern, but with dark edge. Body with pale polygonal spots separated by narrow reticulations.

Ocellated Moray, Gymnothorax ocellatus. Teeth not numerous; intermaxillary teeth 3 rows across, maxillary teeth in 1 row (few inner teeth in young). Snout blunt, jaws short; teeth wedge-shaped and serrate, no long canines. Three pores along upper jaw. Head and body spotted dorsally, pale and unspotted ventrally; tail spotted or patterned, not noticeably dark. Dorsal fin with black and white pattern, anal fin with alternating dark and pale areas. Body with distinct well-separated pale spots.

Gymnothorax conspersus, Saddled Moray

Gymnothorax conspersus, Saddled Moray. Source: FAO 2002.
Gymnothorax conspersus, Saddled Moray.
Source: FAO 2002.

Saddled Moray, Gymnothorax conspersus. Teeth not numerous; intermaxillary teeth 3 rows across, maxillary teeth in 1 row (few inner teeth in young). Snout blunt, jaws short. Teeth wedge-shaped and serrate, no long canines. Three pores along upper jaw. Head and body spotted dorsally and ventrally; tail dark, with few large white spots. Dorsal fin with bold pattern of white saddle marks on black fin.

Gymnothorax moringa, Spotted Moray

Gymnothorax moringa, Spotted Moray. Source: FAO 2002.
Gymnothorax moringa, Spotted Moray.
Source: FAO 2002.

Spotted Moray, Gymnothorax moringa. Teeth not numerous, some long canines; intermaxillary teeth 3 rows across, maxillary teeth in 1 row (few inner teeth in young). Snout and jaws elongate; teeth slender and smooth, some as very long canines. Color pattern of small dark spots or blotches on pale background. Contrasting pattern of overlapping small dark spots on pale background.

Gymnothorax polygonius, Polygon Moray

Gymnothorax polygonius, Polygon Moray. Source: FAO 2002.
Gymnothorax polygonius, Polygon Moray.
Source: FAO 2002.

Polygon Moray, Gymnothorax polygonius. Teeth not numerous, some long canines; intermaxillary teeth 3 rows across, maxillary teeth in 1 row (few inner teeth in young). Snout and jaws elongate. Teeth slender and smooth, some as very long canines. Color pattern of large pale polygons overlain with small dark spots on pale reticulated background.

Gymnothorax vicinus, Purplemouth Moray

Gymnothorax vicinus, Purplemouth Moray. Source: FAO 2002.
Gymnothorax vicinus, Purplemouth Moray.
Source: FAO 2002.

Purplemouth Moray, Gymnothorax vicinus. Teeth not numerous, some long canines; intermaxillary teeth 3 rows across, maxillary teeth in 1 row (few inner teeth in young). Snout and jaws elongate; teeth slender and smooth, some as very long canines. Color pattern of small dark spots or blotches on pale background. Diffuse pattern of spots and blotches (purplish in life) on pale background

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