Abbott's moray eel (Gymnothorax eurostus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Anguilliformes · Family: Muraenidae · Genus: Gymnothorax.

Accepted name: Gymnothorax eurostus · Authority: (Abbott, 1860) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217496.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Gymnothorax laysanus (Steindachner, 1900); Lycodontis eurostus (Abbott, 1860); Lycodontis laysanus (Steindachner, 1900); Muraena laysana Steindachner, 1900; Thyrsoidea eurosta Abbott, 1860.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217496 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Gymnothorax eurostus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 60 cm · Depth range: 0–74 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 44 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Benthic in crevices (Ref. 58302). Feeds on crustaceans and small fishes (Ref. 89972). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 6662) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-eurostus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,927 georeferenced occurrence records for Gymnothorax eurostus are published through GBIF from 31 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 137 distinct locations from a sample of 1,927 records, omitting 29 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (780); Australia (604); Chinese Taipei (126); South Africa (107); Norfolk Island (91).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2404046) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2404046&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217496 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Gymnothorax eurostus (Abbott, 1860) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 195723) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195723/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2404046) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2404046/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Abbott's moray eel reaches up to 60 cm while containing around 120 to 123 vertebrae. Lacking pectoral fins, Abbott's moray eel has skin protected by a mucus layer that is released by the goblet cells in the epidermis. The color is variable, ranging from reddish brown with yellow spots throughout the body, to tan or brown coloring with pale spots that may have darker spots over them.

The distribution of Abbott's moray eel is temperature related, as it is found in the Indo-Pacific between latitudes 16 and 32 degrees north and south. It is found throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Island, Easter Island, Austral Islands, Lord Howe Island, Heron Island, Marcus Island, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, Bazaruto Island, and Mozambique. Abbott's moray eel lives in coastal reef habitats in spaces like crevices, caves, and under rocky ledges. It can be found in shallow waters down to a depth of 74 m, but is most frequently found at depths of 3 to 5 m.

Abbott's moray eel is a voracious nocturnal carnivore, feeding mostly on reef fishes. Lironeca puhi is a common parasite of the Abbott's moray eel, with around 15 to 70% of the eel population being infected by the parasite. An Abbott's moray eel that is infected will typically have both a female and male Lironeca in a single, left or right gill chamber.

Source: Wikipedia: Abbott's moray eel — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott%27s_moray_eel (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.