Sealife guideThe goldentail morayGymnothorax miliaris

Last updated on 09/03/2025 at 11:25 PM
Taxonomy
  • Common name: Goldentail moray
  • French name: Murène porcelaine, murène dorée
  • Spanish name: Morena cola dorada
  • Scientific name: Gymnothorax miliaris (Kaup, 1856)
  • Family name: Muraenidae
  • Order name: Anguilliformes
  • Class name: Actinopterygii
Habitat
The goldentail moray hides in the crevices of coral reefs. Its body tucked into the cavity, its head emerges with an open mouth, showing all its small, sharp teeth !
The goldentail moray hides in the crevices of coral reefs, with its head protruding
The goldentail moray hides in the crevices of coral reefs, with its head protruding
Did you know ?
Worldwide, there are over 200 moray species distributed across 15 genera. The waters around the Florida Keys host 5 different species.
The goldentail moray is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The goldentail moray appears in the IUCN Red List since 2015 within the category Least Concern !
Tips for observing
Small, but like all morays, approach it gently without trying to touch it to avoid a painful bite that could become infected.
The goldentail moray is characterized by its dark brownish-green body, speckled with a multitude of small yellow spots that run the length of its body
The goldentail moray is characterized by its dark brownish-green body, speckled with a multitude of small yellow spots that run the length of its body
Within the same genus
Banded moray (Gymnothorax rueppelliae)
Banded moray
(Gymnothorax rueppelliae)
Banded mud moray (Gymnothorax chlamydatus)
Banded mud moray
(Gymnothorax chlamydatus)
Barred-fin moray eel (Gymnothorax zonipectis)
Barred-fin moray eel
(Gymnothorax zonipectis)
Fimbriated moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus)
Fimbriated moray
(Gymnothorax fimbriatus)
Green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris)
Green moray eel
(Gymnothorax funebris)
Grey moray (Gymnothorax griseus)
Grey moray
(Gymnothorax griseus)
Laced moray eel (Gymnothorax favagineus)
Laced moray eel
(Gymnothorax favagineus)
Yellowmouth moray (Gymnothorax nudivomer)
Yellowmouth moray
(Gymnothorax nudivomer)
Within the same family
Chain moray (Echidna catenata)
Chain moray
(Echidna catenata)
Fangtooth moray (Enchelycore anatina)
Fangtooth moray
(Enchelycore anatina)
Mediterranean moray eel (Muraena helena)
Mediterranean moray eel
(Muraena helena)
Ribbon eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita)
Ribbon eel
(Rhinomuraena quaesita)
Snowflake moray (Echidna nebulosa)
Snowflake moray
(Echidna nebulosa)
Zebra moray (Gymnomuraena zebra)
Zebra moray
(Gymnomuraena zebra)
Discover also
Australasian snapper (Pagrus auratus)
Australasian snapper
(Pagrus auratus)
Blue tilefish (Malacanthus latovittatus)
Blue tilefish
(Malacanthus latovittatus)
Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum)
Bumphead parrotfish
(Bolbometopon muricatum)
Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus)
Doctorfish
(Acanthurus chirurgus)
Gorgeous prawn-goby (Amblyeleotris wheeleri)
Gorgeous prawn-goby
(Amblyeleotris wheeleri)
Grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus richardsonii)
Grunt sculpin
(Rhamphocottus richardsonii)
Mediterranean rainbow wrasse (Coris julis)
Mediterranean rainbow wrasse
(Coris julis)
Rockmover wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniourus)
Rockmover wrasse
(Novaculichthys taeniourus)
The marine species from northwestern Atlantic ocean
Bandtail puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri)
Bandtail puffer
(Sphoeroides spengleri)
Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus)
Caribbean spiny lobster
(Panulirus argus)
Glasseye snapper (Heteropriacanthus cruentatus)
Glasseye snapper
(Heteropriacanthus cruentatus)
Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
Kemp's ridley sea turtle
(Lepidochelys kempii)
Lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris)
Lane snapper
(Lutjanus synagris)
Mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis)
Mutton snapper
(Lutjanus analis)
Queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
Queen angelfish
(Holacanthus ciliaris)
Schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus)
Schoolmaster snapper
(Lutjanus apodus)

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