Yellowmouth moray (Gymnothorax nudivomer)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Gymnothorax nudivomer · Authority: (Günther, 1867) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217488.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Gymnothorax insignis Seale, 1917; Gymnothorax xanthostomus Snyder, 1904; Lycodontis nudivomer (Günther, 1867); Muraena nudivomer Günther, 1867.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217488 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 180 cm · Depth range: 2–271 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 90 of 100 · Fishery importance: of potential interest · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Mainly in oceanic locations (Ref. 48635). Adults are found inhabiting inner and outer reef slopes (Ref. 30404). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Mucus is toxic (Ref. 1602).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 7465) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-nudivomer.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

309 georeferenced occurrence records for Gymnothorax nudivomer are published through GBIF from 29 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 80 distinct locations from a sample of 309 records, omitting 6 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: South Africa (73); Egypt (42); Oman (42); Israel (39); Réunion (14); Australia (13); Mozambique (13); United States of America (10); Mauritius (8); Chinese Taipei (7); New Caledonia (6); Indonesia (5); Japan (5); Maldives (5); Tanzania, United Republic of (4).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone; Tanzanian Exclusive Economic Zone; Red Sea; East Africa; Réunion Exclusive Economic Zone; Seychellois Exclusive Economic Zone; Somali Exclusive Economic Zone; South Africa (country); Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2404012) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2404012&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217488 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Gymnothorax nudivomer (Günther, 1867) 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 195768) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195768/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2404012) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2404012/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.