Species: Kaupichthys hyoproroides, False Moray

Kaupichthys hyoproroides (Stromman, 1896)

False Moray

Body moderately elongate; head and snout moderate; large eyes; front nostril tubular; rear nostril a slit in lip covered from above with a skin flap; mouth ends a little past eye; no flange on either lip, but top lip projects below, covering part of lower jaw when mouth is closed; top jaw teeth small, in several rows; a round patch of teeth between top jaws; roof of mouth with 2 rows of teeth; lower jaw with 2-4 rows of teeth; well developed pectoral fin present; dorsal fin origin over or slightly behind gill opening; dorsal and anal fins well developed and joining tail fin; lateral line consisting of 2 pores high above gill area, 6-7 pores on and behind lower jaw.

Grey brown, with pale fins; lower head and body pale; no pale ring around head behind eye.

Reaches 15 cm.

Reefs.

Depth range: 0-95 m.

Bermuda to Brazil; and the Indo-central Pacific.