Paintspotted moray (Gymnothorax pictus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Gymnothorax pictus · Authority: (Ahl, 1789) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217491.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Gymnothorax picta (Ahl, 1789); Muraena picta Ahl, 1789; Siderea picta (Ahl, 1789); Siderea pictus (Ahl, 1789); Sideria picta (Ahl, 1789).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217491 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 140 cm · Depth range: 0–100 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 84 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit reef flats and rocky intertidal shorelines. Feed on small fishes and crustaceans, sometimes leaving the water in pursuit of prey (Ref. 9710, 48635).

Benthic (Ref. 58302). Simultaneous hermaphroditism is confirmed for this species (Ref. 103751). Caught with various nets (Ref. 30573). Solitary (Ref 90102). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 6395) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-pictus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

2,159 georeferenced occurrence records for Gymnothorax pictus are published through GBIF from 61 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 384 distinct locations from a sample of 2,159 records, omitting 49 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 (467); Australia (410); French Polynesia (92); Fiji (85); Seychelles (74).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2403789) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2403789&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217491 (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 pictus (Ahl, 1789) 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 195775) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195775/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2403789) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2403789/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The species is pale with purplish speckles, which gather together with age. Young of the species have no spots or bars; they are pale purplish with white bellies. Its maximum length is 140 cm. The peppered moray eats small fish and crustaceans.

G. pictus is similar to Gymnothorax griseus. While hunting for prey, they may be completely out of the water or may leap out of water. It is dangerous to eat because it is poisonous.

The peppered moray was named and described by Solander in an unpublished manuscript. Richardson said the fish might be Muraena siderea. Richardson later proved the fish was different by pointing out the difference in coloration. When the names were published as separate species, it was unknown if they were really different species.

Kuep gave the species name as Sidera pantherina. Blecker later changed it to its current name. The reason why the name is still the same is because of all three people's work.

The peppered moray can commonly be found in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific and from islands of the tropical Eastern Pacific. They can also be found in very shallow water on reef flats. Places where the species has been found include Suva Reef, the Fiji Islands, Clarion Island, and the Revillagigedo Islands.

Source: Wikipedia: Gymnothorax pictus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnothorax_pictus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.