Uropterygius polyspilus (Regan, 1909)
Large-spotted snake moray
Uropterygius polyspilus
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae
 Max. size:  78 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 1 - 18 m
 Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands.
 Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 130-136. Covered with large dark purplish-brown spots arranged in 2-3 irregular series on a reddish-tan background. Closely resembles Scuticaria tigrina which has dark spots of differing sizes. Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 20-25 in TL; rudimentary fins; anus at or slightly posterior to middle of body; preanal length 1.9-2.0 in TL; gill opening slightly above middle of side; relatively short jaws; two rows of jaw teeth, long and needle-like inner teeth; median row at front of upper jaw with three longest teeth (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Has been collected on reef flats (Ref. 37816). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on shrimps and fishes (Ref. 89972). Possibly a protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 32169).
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 04.08.97
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 29.09.14

Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.


Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10