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Saw-tooth Moray
Gymnothorax prionodon Ogilby, 1895
A Saw-tooth Moray at a depth of 33 m, north tip of Montague Island, New South Wales, September 2002. View larger image.
A Saw-tooth Moray at a depth of 12 m, Halifax Park, Port Stephens, New South Wales, 1995. View larger image.
The Saw-tooth Moray has a low dorsal fin, deep grooves in the opercular region and a swollen appearance behind the eyes. Both jaws have a single row of large sharp teeth. Despite its common name the Saw-tooth Moray does not have serrated teeth.
Its colouration can vary from greenish brown to dark brown. It has white spots and blotches over its entire length. The spots are small on the head, and increase in size towards the tail.
The Saw-tooth Moray grows to 1.5 m in length.
It is sometimes found in bays, but usually it is found on rocky or deep coastal reefs.
This species occurs in warm temperate marine waters of Australia, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand.
In Australia is is known from off southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Böhlke, E.B. & McCosker, J.E. 2001. The moray eels of Australia and New Zealand, with the description of two new species (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae). Records of the Australian Museum. 53: 71-102.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
