Zebra Moray, Gymnomuraena zebra (Shaw & Nodder, 1797)

Scientific name: Gymnomuraena zebra
Alternative name/s:
Zebra Eel
Zebra Moray Click to enlarge image
A Zebra Moray caught by Steve Wozniak on hook and line off Oahu, Hawaii, July 2010. Image: Steve Wozniak
© Steve Wozniak

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Gymnomuraena
    Species
    zebra
    Family
    Muraenidae
    Order
    Anguilliformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to 1.5 m in length but individuals over 1 m are rare.

Introduction

The species is distinctively coloured, being brown to orange-brown with many white to yellowish bands.

Distribution

Zebra Morays occur in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific. In Australia the species is known from off north-western Western Australian and from Cape York to Gladstone, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. 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.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.