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Turkey Moray

Gymnothorax meleagris (Shaw 1795)

Diagnostic Description

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Mouth white inside, contrasting the outer dark skin with small white spots (Ref. 30404, 48635).Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 11-18 in TL; tail tapering only slightly until posterior most portion; origin of dorsal fin about midway between gill opening and corner of mouth; anus anterior to middle of body; two rows of jaw teeth; teeth at front of upper jaw in five rows; longer canines in middle row than outer rows; inner row of 7-12 smaller canines at side of upper jaw (Ref. 90102). Predorsal vertebrae 4-6 (Ref. 92337).
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Estelita Emily Capuli
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Morphology

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Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0; Vertebrae: 127 - 132
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Trophic Strategy

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Occur in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs from depths of 1 m to at least 36 m. Prefer very shallow depth and juveniles often in intertidal zones (Ref. 30404). In subtropical regions (Ref. 9137); benthic (Ref. 58302). Often seen hunting during low tide among partly exposed reefs (Ref. 48635). Feed mainly on fishes, also on crustaceans, by day and probably also at night (Ref. 3921, 13550). Caught with various nets (Ref. 30573).
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Pascualita Sa-a
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Biology

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Occurs in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs from depths of 1 m to at least 36 m. Prefers very shallow depth and juveniles often in intertidal zones (Ref. 30404). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Often seen hunting during low tide among partly exposed reefs (Ref. 48635). Feeds mainly on fishes, also on crustaceans, by day and probably also at night (Ref. 13550). Caught with various nets (Ref. 30573).
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Importance

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fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family
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分布

provided by The Fish Database of Taiwan
分布於印度-太平洋區,西起紅海、東非,東至馬貴斯群島,北至日本,南至澳洲及羅得豪島等海域。臺灣除西部外,各地岩礁區可見。
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臺灣魚類資料庫
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利用

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一般可利用延繩釣、手釣、籠具誘捕等漁法。食用經濟性,但在某些熱帶島嶼,曾有人食用本種後中毒的案例,台灣則尚未聞有類似嚴重中毒的情形。可作為觀賞魚。
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描述

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體延長而呈圓柱狀,尾部側扁。上、下頜尖長,略呈勾狀;上頜齒有三列。脊椎骨數126-128。口內皮膚為白色,體底色深棕略帶紫色,其上滿布深褐色邊的小黃白點,該圓點大小不會隨個體增長而明顯變大,但會增多。鰓孔為黑色,尾端為白色。
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棲地

provided by The Fish Database of Taiwan
主要棲息於珊瑚礁茂盛之潟湖或沿岸礁區。食慾旺盛,成長迅速;性情凶猛,以魚類為主食,偶食甲殼類。
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Turkey moray

provided by wikipedia EN

The turkey moray (Gymnothorax meleagris),also known as the guineafowl moray or as the white-mouth/whitemouth moray is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

Description

The turkey moray is a medium size moray which can reach a maximum length of 120 cm, but specimens usually encountered are much smaller.[2] Its serpentine in shape body has a dark brown to black background color dotted with numerous small white spots uniformly distributed. The inside of its mouth is completely white.[3]

Gymnothorax meleagris

Distribution and habitat

The white-mouth moray is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific area from eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea included, until Polynesia and Hawaii and from south Japan to New Caledonia.[4] This is a relatively rare moray even within its distribution area except in Hawaii, where it seems to be common.[5]

It likes shallow waters from lagoons and reefs rich in coral and fish life until 36 meters (118 feet) deep,[6] spending time in holes in the reef to quickly emerge to grasp passing fish by surprise attack. They sense prey by detecting smell through the water.

Biology

The turkey moray seems to be equally active day and night and feeds on small fish and occasionally crustaceans.[7]

References

  1. ^ Smith, D.G.; McCosker, J.; Tighe, K. (2019). "Gymnothorax meleagris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T195754A2412930. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T195754A2412930.en.
  2. ^ Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p.
  3. ^ "Gymnothorax meleagris". fishesofaustralia.net.au. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  4. ^ Myers, R.F. 1991 Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p.
  5. ^ "Gymnothorax meleagris | DORIS".
  6. ^ Kuiter, R.H., 1998. Photo guide to fishes of the Maldives. Atoll Editions, Victoria, Australia. 257 p.
  7. ^ Hobson, E.S., 1974. Feeding relationships of teleostean fishes on coral reefs in Kona, Hawaii. Fish. Bull. 72(4):915-1031.

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Turkey moray: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The turkey moray (Gymnothorax meleagris),also known as the guineafowl moray or as the white-mouth/whitemouth moray is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

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Description

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Commonly seen by divers, except in Micronesia where it is relatively uncommon. Occurs in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs from depths of 1 m to at least 36 m. Feeds mainly on fishes, also on crustaceans.

Reference

Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2023). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (02/2023).

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