Animal Species:Ribbon Eel, Rhinomuraena quaesita Garman, 1888

The Ribbon Eel can easily be recognised by its hugely expanded anterior nostrils.

Ribbon Eel off Manado

Ribbon Eel off Manado
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Ribbon Moray

Identification

The species has huge anterior nostrils.

Juveniles and subadults are jet black with a yellow dorsal fin. Females are yellow with a black anal fin and white margins on the fins. Adult males are blue with much of the snout and lower jaw yellow.

Size range

The species grows to 1.3 m in length.

Distribution

The Ribbon Eel occurs throughout the Indo-west Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and the Barrier Reef, Queensland.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Ribbon Eel specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is usually seen in burrows in sandy or rubbly areas adjacent to coral reefs.

Classification

Species:
quaesita
Genus:
Rhinomuraena
Family:
Muraenidae
Order:
Anguilliformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Böhlke, E.B. & J.E. McCosker. 2001. The moray eels of Australia and New Zealand, with the description of two new species (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae). Records of the Australian Museum. 53(1): 71-102.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. in Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Ribbon Eel, Rhinomuraena quaesita, Muraenidae, fishes, ichthyology, eel, Ribbon Moray, huge nostrils, jet black, yellow fin, males jet black with yellow fin, females yellow with black fin, > 1m, coral reef, marine,