Kidako moray

A mouth slit behind the eyes and lined with sharp teeth.

Scientific name	Gymnothorax kidako
English name	Kidako moray
Japanese name	Utsubo
Classification	Actinopterygii
Classification details	Anguilliformes Muraenidae
Full length	about 80-90cm
Distribution	Central Honshu and southwards.

Characteristics

A slender saltwater fish that can grow up to 1m in length. The whole body is mottled with blackish brown and yellow, and vertical stripes appear to run irregularly. Its mouth is split behind its eyes and is lined with sharp teeth, and it opens its jaws wide when preying. The dorsal fin to the caudal fin are connected and fluttering.

Ecology

It inhabits the bottom of the shallow and warm sea and crevices between rocks. It watches the situation from the hole and preys on small fish and crustaceans. They don't actively attack humans, but you should be careful with their sharp teeth. They live in mutual symbiosis with small fish such as honsomewake wrasse.

Habitat

Taken while diving in Akazawa, Izu. The individual that was sticking its head out of the hole was wary of us and threatened us by suddenly closing its mouth and bending its neck.

In other places it stretched out beside rocks on the sea floor. When I approached it, it threatened me with a troublesome look.