All fish / Muraenidae

Starry Moray

Gymnothorax nudivomer

Also known as starry moray eel, yellowmouth moray, yellow mouth moray, yellow-mouthed moray, starry eel, nudivomer moray, コクテンウツボ, 裸犁齿裸胸鳝, 黄口裸胸鳝

A brown moray covered in small white spots that become larger towards the tail, with a striking bright yellow mouth lining shown as it breathes. It is kept for its unusual looks and its fairly hardy nature in large fish-only systems with plenty of rockwork caves.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

80 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

700 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Carnivore: fish, shrimp, squid and other meaty seafood offered on a feeding stick

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 20 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, north to southern Japan

Breeding

It spawns in open water with planktonic leptocephalus larvae, and it has not been bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

Its skin mucus is reported to be toxic, so avoid handling it and keep it away from small fish and crustaceans, which it will eat. It grows large and is a skilled escape artist, so a tightly sealed lid is essential.