Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Muraenidae (Moray eels) > Muraeninae
Etymology: Gymnothorax: Greek, gymnos = naked + Greek, thorax, -akos = breast (Ref. 45335); phalarus: From the greek phalaros meaning white-spotted.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 23 - 339 m (Ref. 38824). Tropical
Eastern Pacific: Baja California, Mexico to Peru.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 92.7 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 38824)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Vertebrae: 138 - 144. Medium to dark brown coloration overlain with white dots becoming larger posteriorly; jaw teeth uniserial and serrate; one or two vomerine teeth in adults; four infraorbital pores; mean vertebral formula 6-58-140.
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like; Cross section: oval.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Bussing, W.A., 1998. Gymnothorax phalarus, a new eastern Pacific moray eel (Pisces: Muraenidae). Rev. Biol. Trop. 46(2):439-446. (Ref. 38824)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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