Moray Eelウツボ

Gymnothorax kidakoLC— Least Concern

The kidako moray (Gymnothorax kidako), known in Japan as utsubo, is a large moray eel reaching up to about 91 cm long, found across the western Pacific from Taiwan to Japan on coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky coasts down to roughly 400 m. Unusually for a moray, it is more active during the day than at night, hunting fish, octopus, and squid with sharp canine-like teeth and a second set of pharyngeal jaws in its throat. It is eaten as food in parts of Japan and is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Moray Eel (reference photo)
Photo: User:rydia / CC BY-SA 2.5 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Anguilliformes / Muraenidae Source
Distribution
Found in the western Pacific from Taiwan to Japan, inhabiting coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky coasts, and occasionally deeper waters down to about 400 m. Source

Did You Know?

  • It has sharp, canine-like teeth at the front of its upper jaw and a second set of jaws, called pharyngeal jaws, in its throat used to pull prey inward. Source
  • While most morays are nocturnal, this species is unusually active during the day. Source
  • In Japan it is eaten as food in some regions, prepared as sashimi or fried dishes. Source

Where to See This Species

8 facilities · 0 individuals

かごしま水族館 (Kagoshima Suizokukan)Kagoshima鹿児島中央駅から市電（2系統）「水族館口」下車、徒歩8分。

かごしま水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

サンシャイン水族館 (Sanshain Suizokukan)Tokyo池袋駅（35番出口）からサンシャイン60通りを通って来館。

サンシャイン水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

のとじま臨海公園水族館 (Notojimarinkai Kouen Suizokukan)Ishikawa最寄り駅は和倉温泉駅。

のとじま臨海公園水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

むろと廃校水族館 (Murotohaikou Suizokukan)KochiOpened in 2018

むろと廃校水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

下田海中水族館 (Shimodakaichuu Suizokukan)ShizuokaOpened in 1967

下田海中水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

海遊館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

桂浜水族館 (Katsurahama Suizokukan)KochiOpened in 1931

桂浜水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

長崎ペンギン水族館 (Nagasakipengin Suizokukan)NagasakiOpened in 2001

長崎ペンギン水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNレッドリストではLC。沿岸環境の劣化と局地的な漁獲圧が保全上の課題となる。

Habitat

日本南部から台湾、ハワイ周辺などの暖かい海の岩礁・サンゴ礁。

Threats

  • 沿岸環境の劣化と局地的な漁獲圧

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 生息地の保全と個体群の継続的な把握
  • 水槽では隠れ家から顔を出す行動を観察でき、夜行性の捕食者が礁に果たす役割を学べる。

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

What does the kidako moray eat?
It is piscivorous, preying on fish along with octopus and squid. Source
Is the kidako moray dangerous to divers?
Attacks on humans are rare and typically occur only when a diver puts a hand into a reef crevice where the eel is hiding. Source
Is the kidako moray active during the day or at night?
Unlike most moray eels, which are nocturnal, this species is unusually active during the daytime. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org