Freckleface reef-eel (Uropterygius xanthopterus)

General data

Main name: Freckleface reef-eel
Local names: White-speckled snake moray, Spottedface moray
Climates: Tropical
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Africa, Asia, Australia & Oceania
Distribution: Pacific Ocean, Indian ocean

Classification

Uropterygius xanthopterus is a species of moray eel belonging to the family Muraenidae. It is commonly known as the freckleface reef-eel, spottedface moray, or white-speckled snake moray. This species inhabits coral reef environments across the tropical Indo-Pacific region and is typically found hiding among reef crevices, rocks, and coral structures during the day.

The natural range of Uropterygius xanthopterus extends throughout the Indo-Pacific, from the eastern coast of Africa across the Indian Ocean to numerous islands in the Pacific Ocean. Its distribution includes regions such as the Line Islands, Marquesas Islands, Society Islands, Mariana Islands, and Marshall Islands. The species is generally found in tropical waters between approximately 16°N and 18°S.

This moray eel is a marine, reef-associated species that lives at depths ranging from about 1 to 56 meters. Like many morays, it prefers complex reef habitats where it can remain concealed while waiting for prey. These environments provide both protection and access to small fish and crustaceans that form the main part of its diet.

Uropterygius xanthopterus can reach a maximum recorded length of about 62 cm total length. Its body is elongated and eel-like, typical of moray eels. The coloration is mottled brown with numerous prominent white speckles, especially concentrated on the head, giving rise to its common names. This distinctive spotted pattern helps with camouflage against the textured surfaces of coral reefs.

Like other members of the genus Uropterygius, this species has a slender body with reduced fins and a snake-like appearance. The vertebral count is typically between 120 and 121. The freckleface reef-eel is usually solitary and spends much of its time partially hidden in reef holes with only its head visible, a common behavior among moray eels that allows them to ambush passing prey.

Taxonomy of Fishes

Osteichthyes - Bony fishes->
- Actinistia - Lobe-finned fishes->
- Actinopteri - Ray-finned fishes->
  - Perciformes - Perches->
  - Cypriniformes - Carps->
  - Esociformes - Pikes->
  - Salmoniformes - Salmons and Trouts->
  - Siluriformes - Catfishes->
  - Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes->
  - Gasterosteiformes - Sticklebacks->
  - Gadiformes - Cods->
  - Anguilliformes - Eels and morays->
    
    Anguillidae - Eels->
    
    Muraenidae - Moray eels->
    
    Muraena - Moray eels->
    
    Echidna - Echidna->
    
    Gymnothorax - Gymnothorax->
    
    Gymnomuraena - Zebra moray->
    
    Anarchias - Anarchias->
    
    Channomuraena - Channomuraena->
    
    Enchelycore - Enchelycore->
    
    Enchelynassa - Enchelynassa->
    
    Cirrimaxilla - Cirrimaxilla->
    
    Diaphenchelys - Diaphenchelys->
    
    Monopenchelys - Monopenchelys->
    
    Rhinomuraena - Rhinomuraena->
    
    Pseudechidna - Pseudechidna->
    
    Uropterygius - Uropterygius->
    
    Unicolor snake moray (Uropterygius concolor)
    
    Blotched moray (Uropterygius fasciolatus)
    
    Brown spotted snake moray (Uropterygius fuscoguttatus)
    
    Uropterygius genie (Uropterygius genie)
    
    Uropterygius golanii (Uropterygius golanii)
    
    Drab snake moray (Uropterygius inornatus)
    
    Barlip reef-eel (Uropterygius kamar)
    
    Needle-tooth moray (Uropterygius macrocephalus)
    
    Marbled moray (Uropterygius macularius)
    
    Marbled reef-eel (Uropterygius marmoratus)
    
    Tidepool snake moray (Uropterygius micropterus)
    
    Nago snakemoray (Uropterygius nagoensis)
    
    Few-vertebrae moray (Uropterygius oligospondylus)
    
    Large-spotted snake moray (Uropterygius polyspilus)
    
    Peppered moray (Uropterygius polystictus)
    
    Many-toothed snake moray (Uropterygius supraforatus)
    
    Crafty moray (Uropterygius versutus)
    
    Jigsaw moray (Uropterygius wheeleri)
    
    Freckleface reef-eel (Uropterygius xanthopterus)
    
    Black snake moray (Uropterygius xenodontus)
    
    Scuticaria - Scuticaria->
    
    Strophidon - Strophidon->
    
    Congridae - Conger and garden eels->
    
    Ophichthidae - Snake Eels->
    
    Chlopsidae - False morays->
    
    Colocongridae - Short-tail eels->
    
    Derichthyidae - Longneck eels->
    
    Heterenchelyidae - Mud eels->
    
    Moringuidae - Worm or spaghetti eels->
    
    Muraenesocidae - Pike congers->
    
    Myrocongridae - Atlantic red eels->
    
    Nemichthyidae - Snipe eels->
    
    Nettastomatidae - Duckbill eels->
    
    Protanguillidae - Protoanguillids->
    
    Serrivomeridae - Sawtooth eels->
    
    Synaphobranchidae - Cutthroat eels->
  - Clupeiformes - Herrings->
  - Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses->
  - Gobiiformes - Gobies->
  - Mugiliformes - Mullets->
  - Carangiformes - Jacks->
  - Beloniformes - Needlefishes->
  - Labriformes - Wrasses->
  - Scombriformes - Mackerels->
  - Mulliformes - Goatfishes->
  - Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes->
  - Aulopiformes - Grinners->
  - Blenniiformes - Blennies->
  - Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps->
  - Osmeriformes - Smelts->
  - Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes->
  - Cichliformes - Cichlids->
  - Characiformes - Characins->
  - Osteoglossiformes - Bony tongues->
  - Elopiformes - Tarpons and tenpounders->
  - Anabantiformes - Gouramies and snakeheads->
  - Gymnotiformes - South American knifefish->
  - Istiophoriformes - Barracudas->
  - Albuliformes - Bonefishes->
  - Lepidogalaxiiformes - Salamanderfishes->
  - Lophiiformes - Anglerfishes->
  - Spariformes - Breams and porgies->
  - Trachiniformes - Weeverfishes->
  - Moroniformes - Temperate basses->
  - Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes->
  - Zeiformes - Dories->
  - Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes->
  - Holocentriformes - Squirrelfishes->
  - Dactylopteriformes - Flying gurnards->
  - Lampriformes - Lamprids->
  - Galaxiiformes - Southern smelts->
  - Batrachoidiformes - Toadfishes->
  - Hiodontiformes - Mooneyes->
  - Percopsiformes - Trout-perches->
  - Callionymiformes - Dragonets->
  - Atheriniformes - Silversides->
  - Notacanthiformes - Spiny eels->
  - Saccopharyngiformes - Swallowers and Gulpers->
  - Alepocephaliformes - Slickheads and tubeshoulders->
  - Gonorynchiformes - Milkfishes->
  - Argentiniformes - Marine smelts->
  - Stomiiformes - Lightfishes and dragonfishes->
  - Ateleopodiformes - Jellynose fishes->
  - Myctophiformes - Lanternfishes->
  - Stylephoriformes - Tube-eyes->
  - Polymixiiformes - Beardfishes->
  - Beryciformes - Sawbellies->
  - Trachichthyiformes - Rughies->
  - Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels->
  - Kurtiformes - Nurseryfishes & Cardinalfishes->
  - Synbranchiformes - Swamp eels->
  - Gobiesociformes - Clingfishes->
  - Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses->
- Cladistii - Bichirs->
- Dipnoi - Lungfishes->
- Chondrostei - Sturgeons and Paddlefishes->
- Holostei - Gars and Bowfins->
Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes->
Agnatha - Jawless fishes->

Freckleface reef-eel (Uropterygius xanthopterus)

General data

Classification

Taxonomy of Fishes

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