Family : Muraenidae (Moray eels) , subfamily: Muraeninae
Order : Anguilliformes  (eels and morays)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Turkey moray
Fish Name : Gymnothorax meleagris
Max size : 120 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 1602)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 1 - 51 m
Climate : tropical; 32°N - 32°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Distribution: Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 33390) to Marquesas and Mangaréva, north to the Ryukyu and Hawaiian islands, south to Lord Howe Island.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0; Vertebrae: 127-131. Mouth white inside, contrasting the outer dark skin with small white spots (Ref. 30404, 48635).
Biology : 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)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Halstead, B.W., P.S. Auerbach and D.R. Campbell. 1990
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Chen, H.-M., K.-T. Shao and C.T. Chen. 1994. (Ref. 6934)

India country information
Common Names : किळिस, Killis, Painted moray
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses