Animal Species:Sieve-Patterned Moray, Gymnothorax cribroris Whitley, 1932

This blotchy patterned moray occurs on coastal reefs and estuaries, often in sheltered, silty waters.

Sieve-Patterned Moray at the 'Pipeline'

Sieve-Patterned Moray at the 'Pipeline'
David and Leanne Atkinson © David and Leanne Atkinson

Identification

The Sieve-Patterned Moray varies from yellowish to dark brown. It has pale irregular spots. There are dark blotches behind the eyes.

Size range

The species grows to about 45 cm in length.

Distribution

The Sieve-Patterned Moray endemic to Australia, occuring off north-western Western Australia and southern Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Australian Sieve-Patterned Moray specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs on coastal reefs and estuaries, often in sheltered, silty waters.

Classification

Species:
cribroris
Genus:
Gymnothorax
Family:
Muraenidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. 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.
  2. Castle, P.H.J. in Gomon, M.F., J.C.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, muraenidae, Sieve-Patterned Moray, Gymnothorax cribroris, eel, coastal reef, estuaries, shelterd water, yellow, brown, pale spots, dots/spots, 30 cm - 1 m,