Indian mud moray eel (Gymnothorax tile)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Gymnothorax tile · Authority: (Hamilton, 1822) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 271890.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Gymnothorax borneensis Bleeker, 1863; Lycodontis literata McClelland, 1844; Lycodontis tile (Hamilton, 1822); Muraena gracilis Richardson, 1848; Muraena tile (Hamilton, 1822); Muraena vermiculata Richardson, 1848; Muraenophis tile Hamilton, 1822; Strophidon maculata McClelland, 1844; Strophidon punctata McClelland, 1844; Thyrsoidea microdon Kaup, 1856.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=271890 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 60 cm · Depth range: 1–10 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 44 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Occurs in estuaries and river mouths (Ref. 4832, 48635). Found usually in muddy estuaries, also enters lower portion of rivers, in 1-10 m (Ref 90102).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 17266) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-tile.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

91 georeferenced occurrence records for Gymnothorax tile are published through GBIF from 11 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 17 distinct locations from a sample of 91 records, omitting 10 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: Singapore (44); Bangladesh (13); Malaysia (12); India (8); Myanmar (4); Philippines (3); Indonesia (2); Thailand (2); Australia (1); Fiji (1); Palau (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2403936) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2403936&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=271890 (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 tile (Hamilton, 1822) 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 195802) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195802/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2403936) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2403936/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Gymnothorax comes from the Ancient Greek γυμνός (gymno-), meaning 'naked', and θώραξ (thoraks), meaning 'breastplate, corslet'. The specific epithet tile is from the Bengali vernacular name for this species.

Description

The Indian mud moray is estimated to reach a length of approximately 61 cm, and can live up to 30 years. The species is characterized by a gray-brown body covered in speckles that vary in color from golden yellow to white. Gymnothorax tile, like any other moray eel, possesses a second set of jaws, called the pharyngeal jaws, to swallow their prey. The Indian mud moray's eyesight is very poor, and instead of using vision, the species rather relies upon a keen sense of smell and vibrations in the water to detect prey or threats.

Distribution and habitat

The Indian mud moray is known from the Indo-West Pacific, including India, the Andaman Islands, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. It occurs down to 10 m depth.

The wild habitat type of the Indian mud moray is marine neritic. It is most commonly found hidden in debris resting over a soft substrate of mud or sand. It is often found in estuaries but may also enter the lower portions of rivers. While the Indian mud moray typically lives in marine conditions, it travels to fresh water for breeding and spawning.

When kept as pets, Indian mud morays thrive better in brackish water rather than pure fresh water, as the latter fresh water can cause these eels to reject their food and develop a variety of diseases that greatly shorten their life span. It is advisable to place a lid on the aquarium tank, as they have the ability to jump out.

Diet

Indian mud morays are carnivorous and feed mainly on crustaceans and small fishes. They are, for the most part, a scavenger that may eat dead fish, shrimp, and other such foods. Due to their poor eyesight, Indian mud morays typically do not hunt on a normal basis, but will resort to hunting if there is no other option.

When kept in captivity, due to their tendency to reject food that is not to their liking, these eels can prove to be difficult to feed. Additionally, stress can cause them to starve themselves, resulting in death in severe cases.

Threats

There are no major threats known to this species, although it may be impacted by coastal development, runoff and habitat degradation in some portions of its distribution.

Source: Wikipedia: Indian mud moray eel — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_mud_moray_eel (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.