Enchelycore propinqua Mohapatra, Smith, Mohanty, Mishra & Tudu, 2017
Indian hook-teeth moray

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  17 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: India.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 120-120. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters:; anus at about mid-point of the body; snout blunt; eyes small and slightly closer to tip of snout than to rictus; jaws are slightly arched, mouth not entirely closed when jaw tips meet; dorsal-fin origin considerably behind the gill opening, but well before level of anus; teeth are sharply pointed, recurved; biserial intermaxillary and maxillary teeth, those of inner row larger and more widely spaced than outer row; two fang-like median intermaxillary teeth, 6 large fang-like vomerine teeth; dentary teeth biserial with the inner row more widely spaced than outer one; pre-dorsal vertebrae 20, pre-anal vertebrae 51, total vertebrae 120. Colouration: body reddish brown mottled with irregular creamy white spots along entire length; slightly darker cross bands dorsally alternating with paler interspaces, distinct in anterior part (Ref. 116168).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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