Gymnothorax breedeni McCosker & Randall, 1977
Blackcheek moray, 100cm

This one never seems to poke its head out of the reef. We have seen quite a few of them, but always well back in holes in the seaward reef. That is probably just as well. Randall (2005) says this is an aggressive species prone to bite, and in a personal communication told me he considers this one of the most aggressive of the morays. Kwaj divers, be cautious when reaching back into those holes for golden cowries. This species is easy to recognize from the black patch extending from the lower rear part of the eye to just behind the mouth.

Created 4 July 2017

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