Scientific Name
Gymnothorax castaneus

Common Name
Chestnut moray

Biology
Lives in rocky, boulder strewn areas and walls. Lurks in holes, crevices and dark recesses during day; forage in the open at night. Constantly opens and closes its mouth--an action required for respiration, not a threat (Ref. 5227). May occasionally wander into open sandy areas about 10-20 m from cover. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and fishes and are highly responsive to stimuli emanating from wounded or distressed prey at distances exceeding 20 m (Ref. 28023).

Classification

Classified By

Jordan & Gilbert, 1883

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Eels and Morays (Anguilliformes)

Family

Moray eels (Muraenidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands.

Range

32°N - 2°N

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

3 m

Depth To - meters

36 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 36 m (Ref. 5227)

Trophic Level

4.03 s.e. 0.67 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

150 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (68 of 100)

Resilience

Unknown

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)