Laced moray (Gymnothorax favagineus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Gymnothorax favagineus · Authority: Bloch & Schneider, 1801 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217509.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Enchelycore favagineus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801); Gymnothorax favagiensis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801); Gymnothorax permistus (Smith, 1962); Gymnothorax tesselatus (Richardson, 1845); Gymnothorax tessellata (Richardson, 1845); Gymnothorax tessellatus (Richardson, 1845); Lycodontis favagineus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801); Lycodontis permistus Smith, 1962; Lycodontis tessellata (Richardson, 1845); Muraena tessellata Richardson, 1845.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217509 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 300 cm · Depth range: 1–50 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 90 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: public aquariums.

FishBase notes: Inhabits reef flats and outer reef slopes of continental reefs (Ref. 9710). One of the two largest of Indo-Pacific morays. Often in holes with cleaner wrasses or shrimps (Ref. 48635).

Feeds on cephalopods and small fishes (Ref. 30573). Large adults may be aggressive (Ref. 9710). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30573.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5391) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-favagineus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,012 georeferenced occurrence records for Gymnothorax favagineus are published through GBIF from 42 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 223 distinct locations from a sample of 1,012 records, omitting 36 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: Australia (193); South Africa (141); Indonesia (115); Maldives (91); India (81).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2404048) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2404048&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217509 (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 favagineus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 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 195726) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195726/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2404048) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2404048/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Gymnothorax favagineus is a large moray which can reach a maximum length of 3 metres (10 feet), but specimens usually encountered are much smaller.

Its body is serpentine in shape, with a white to yellowish background color dotted with numerous black spots. These spots vary in size and shape depending on the individual and on the environment in which the animals live: morays living on a reef with clear water will have fewer black spots than those living in a turbid environment. This characteristic color pattern is the source of its vernacular name.

The laced moray is widespread throughout the Indo-West Pacific area from eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea included, to Papua New Guinea and from southern Japan to the Great Barrier Reef.

It lives on the outer slopes of coral reefs. During the day, it sits sheltered in crevices between 1 and 45 m deep.

The laced moray is carnivorous. It leaves its lair at night to actively hunt its prey along the reef.

It feeds mainly on small fish and cephalopods. Large adults are prone to be aggressive in the wild.

Source: Wikipedia: Laced moray — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laced_moray (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.