What kind of Moray is this?
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rhyz
Contributor
Damn I gotta get out at night more, but soloing I like the light myself 
OP
Nice to know RGB,
I guess I spend most of my time deeper than 4 ft...hence why I havent seen them before.
Mahalo,
Drew
I guess I spend most of my time deeper than 4 ft...hence why I havent seen them before.
Mahalo,
Drew
Based on the photo and size description, I would be comfortable labeling it as a Barred Moray (Echidna polyzona). This moray is not included in Hoover's or Randall's book, but is included in Witte & Mahaney's Hawaiin Reef Fish book. I'm suggesting this based on the following observations:
1. While the photo's colors are a bit muted, it looks like the color of the top of the head match the base color of the rest of the body. The Yellowhead (aka Banded) moray has distinct yellow coloration on the top of the head, with the rest of the body being pale in color. So I don't think it's a Yellowhead.
2. The Barred (aka Ringed) moray has a consistent color throughout the body.
3. The Barred moray features a first band that crosses the eye. It's faint in this photo, but evidence of it exists on the top of the head, as well as the lower jaw.
4. Juveniles of the Barred moray begin with very solid coloration, and the coloration fades and becomes blotchy when full grown. This species is a smaller moray averaging 20 inches. Considering refraction, it would appear 30 inches when full grown.
5. John Hoover's web site (a supplement to his book) agrees with this.
http://www.hawaiisfishes.com/fishes/neatfish/echidna_polyzona.htm
1. While the photo's colors are a bit muted, it looks like the color of the top of the head match the base color of the rest of the body. The Yellowhead (aka Banded) moray has distinct yellow coloration on the top of the head, with the rest of the body being pale in color. So I don't think it's a Yellowhead.
2. The Barred (aka Ringed) moray has a consistent color throughout the body.
3. The Barred moray features a first band that crosses the eye. It's faint in this photo, but evidence of it exists on the top of the head, as well as the lower jaw.
4. Juveniles of the Barred moray begin with very solid coloration, and the coloration fades and becomes blotchy when full grown. This species is a smaller moray averaging 20 inches. Considering refraction, it would appear 30 inches when full grown.
5. John Hoover's web site (a supplement to his book) agrees with this.
http://www.hawaiisfishes.com/fishes/neatfish/echidna_polyzona.htm
Looks like we have barred moray here on Maui too. This was before the black & tan's (17th), end of dive ~ 7fsw.
Can anyone instruct me how to imbed photo's with a powerbook (10.4)?
Can anyone instruct me how to imbed photo's with a powerbook (10.4)?
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