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 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)
Laced moray eel (Gymnothorax favagineus)
Laced moray eel
(Gymnothorax favagineus)
Lipspot moray (Gymnothorax chilospilus)
Lipspot moray
(Gymnothorax chilospilus)
Undulated moray (Gymnothorax undulatus)
Undulated moray
(Gymnothorax undulatus)
White eyed moray (Gymnothorax thyrsoideus)
White eyed moray
(Gymnothorax thyrsoideus)
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
Banded shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
Banded shrimpgoby
(Cryptocentrus cinctus)
Blue tang surgeonfish (Acanthurus coeruleus)
Blue tang surgeonfish
(Acanthurus coeruleus)
Blue throated triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
Blue throated triggerfish
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
Longsnout seahorse (Hippocampus reidi)
Longsnout seahorse
(Hippocampus reidi)
Obtuse barracuda (Sphyraena obtusata)
Obtuse barracuda
(Sphyraena obtusata)
Redband parrotfish (Sparisoma aurofrenatum)
Redband parrotfish
(Sparisoma aurofrenatum)
Sand diver (Synodus intermedius)
Sand diver
(Synodus intermedius)
Teardrop butterflyfish (Chaetodon unimaculatus)
Teardrop butterflyfish
(Chaetodon unimaculatus)
The marine species from northwestern Atlantic ocean
Ballyhoo (Hemiramphus brasiliensis)
Ballyhoo
(Hemiramphus brasiliensis)
Bandtail puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri)
Bandtail puffer
(Sphoeroides spengleri)
Scrawled filefish (Aluterus scriptus)
Scrawled filefish
(Aluterus scriptus)
Smooth trunkfish (Rhinesomus triqueter)
Smooth trunkfish
(Rhinesomus triqueter)
Spotted drum (Equetus punctatus)
Spotted drum
(Equetus punctatus)
Spotted goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus)
Spotted goatfish
(Pseudupeneus maculatus)
White grunt (Haemulon plumierii)
White grunt
(Haemulon plumierii)
Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus)
Yellowtail snapper
(Ocyurus chrysurus)

Our latestUpdates

Faroe islands
Thursday, May 7th 2026
Faroe islands
Discover the Faroe islands, a remote archipelago between Iceland and Norway known for its dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and untouched Nordic landscapes. Find travel tips, itineraries, hiking guides, local culture, and inspiration to explore this unique destination in the North Atlantic.
The short-finned pilot whale
Wednesday, May 6th 2026
The short-finned pilot whale
Discover the tropical pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), a highly social large cetacean from tropical and subtropical waters, specialized in deep dives in search of squid.
Where to see groupers in the Mediterranean ?
Thursday, April 23rd 2026
Where to see groupers in the Mediterranean ?
Discover where to see groupers in the Mediterranean: the best diving spots and protected marine areas to observe this iconic fish in its natural habitat.
Photo of the Day
Crevette Donald Duck (Leander plumosus)
Crevette Donald Duck
(Leander plumosus)