Vertebrata
Muraena retifera
(Reticulate Moray)
1. In situ (Danny Gleason)
2. In situ (Danny Gleason)
3. Out of water (Steve Vives)
4. Out of Water - Reticulated moray, Muraena retifera, is pictured below ocellated moray, Gymnothorax saxicola (Steve Vives)
Size
Maximum size 90cm (3')
Recognition Characters
Rear nostril tubular with raised rim; black spot on gill opening; posterior to gill, light spots organized into rosettes that are loosely arranged in a hexagonal packing arrangement; spots from the eye to just anterior of gill opening can take a lined appearance; fins with pale edges.
Color
Body background color is brown to dark brown; reticulated pattern of lighter spots on darker background.
Habitat & Depth
Mid-shelf depths; holes and crevices in reefs during day.
Distribution at GRNMS
Common. Found in holes and crevices in reef.
Geographic Range
New England to Florida to Gulf of Mexico; also taken in Bay of Campeche, Mexico, and off northern Venezuela; also present off Brazil
Behavior & Notes
Nocturnal predator; during the day it occupies holes and crevices
Synonyms