SPECIES INFO
Tropical moray (Gymnothorax margarithophora) is found in the tropical Indian Ocean. The green hue to the forward dorsal fin will help identify this moray. There is an image in the Burgess and Axelrod series on Pacific Fish in Book 9 taken at Christmas Island which is south of Java in Indonesia.Gymnothorax genus of moray eels is found almost worldwide. There are about 120 species in this genus. About 30 different species are generally present near Australia. Although many species are much smaller, larger species can attain lengths near 10 feet.
Moray Eels, Family Muraenidae, are the largest family of eels. They have worldwide distribution. This family is characterized by the absence of pectoral and pelvic fins. Skin divers should be careful about bothering these fish. The bite, especially of the large ones, is considered dangerous.
Eels, Order Anguilliformes, includes mmostly marine animals with long narrow bodies. Most species have pectoral fins, but lack pelvic fins. Several species breed near Cuba and migrate to freshwater rivers worldwide to reach full size. There are about 450 species divided into about 20 different families.
Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.
Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.
Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.
Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
