Sealife guideThe fimbriated morayGymnothorax fimbriatus
Last updated on 10/16/2026 at 12:25 AM
The fimbriated moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus) is a fish with an elongated, snake-like body, recognizable by its pale coloration covered in dark spots. It lives in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, where it inhabits coral reefs and rocky shelters.
Secretive and mainly active at night, it often remains hidden in reef crevices, from which it hunts fish and crustaceans.
Taxonomy
English names
Fimbriated moray
French namesMurène frangée
Scientific nameGymnothorax fimbriatus (Bennett, 1832)
FamilyMuraenidae
OrderAnguilliformes
ClassActinopterygii
Description
The fimbriated moray has an elongated body without pectoral or pelvic fins and skin with no visible scales. Its coloration ranges from beige to grayish brown, sometimes with yellowish hues on the head, and its body is covered with irregular dark brown to black spots, sometimes accompanied by incomplete bands. In juveniles, the dark spots are proportionally larger.

The fimbriated moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus) © Francesco Ricciardi | Dreamstime.com
The fimbriated moray can reach a maximum length of about 3 feet 1 inch.
Geographic range
The fimbriated moray is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from Madagascar in the west to the Society Islands in the east, and from Japan in the north to southern Queensland, Australia, in the south, as well as in Micronesia.
Habitat
The fimbriated moray is found mainly in shallow waters of lagoons, reef flats, and offshore reefs, but it can also be observed at depths of around 160 feet.
Diet
The fimbriated moray feeds mainly on fish and crustaceans. Hidden in a reef crevice, it waits for prey to pass before seizing it with its jaws lined with sharp teeth.
Reproduction
The reproductive biology of the fimbriated moray remains poorly documented.
Did you know ?
The fimbriated moray is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The fimbriated moray appears in the IUCN Red List since 2019 within the category Least Concern !

The fimbriated moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus) © Fenkie Sumolang | Dreamstime.com
Within the same genus

Banded morayGymnothorax rueppelliae

Green moray eelGymnothorax funebris

Kidako moray eelGymnothorax kidako

Laced moray eelGymnothorax favagineus

Lipspot morayGymnothorax chilospilus

Undulated morayGymnothorax undulatus

White eyed morayGymnothorax thyrsoideus

Yellowmouth morayGymnothorax nudivomer
Within the same family

Chain morayEchidna catenata

Fangtooth morayEnchelycore anatina

Mediterranean moray eelMuraena helena

Ribbon eelRhinomuraena quaesita

Snowflake morayEchidna nebulosa

Zebra morayGymnomuraena zebra
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