Turkey moray (Gymnothorax meleagris)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Gymnothorax meleagris · Authority: (Shaw, 1795) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217503.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Gymnothorax chlorostigma (Kaup, 1856); Gymnothorax leucostictus Jenkins, 1903; Lycodontis meleagris (Shaw, 1795); Muraena chlorostigma (Kaup, 1856); Muraena meleagris Shaw, 1795; Thyrsoidea chlorostigma Kaup, 1856.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217503 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 120 cm · Common length: 80 cm · Depth range: 0–51 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 72 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Occurs in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs from depths of 1 m to at least 36 m. Prefers very shallow depth and juveniles often in intertidal zones (Ref. 30404). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Often seen hunting during low tide among partly exposed reefs (Ref. 48635).

Feeds mainly on fishes, also on crustaceans, by day and probably also at night (Ref. 13550). Caught with various nets (Ref. 30573). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 86942.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5394) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-meleagris.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

2,949 georeferenced occurrence records for Gymnothorax meleagris are published through GBIF from 57 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 342 distinct locations from a sample of 2,949 records, omitting 34 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 (1,504); Réunion (197); New Caledonia (124); French Polynesia (123); Indonesia (104).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2403958) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2403958&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217503 (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 meleagris (Shaw, 1795) 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 195754) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195754/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2403958) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2403958/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.