Brown speckled eel

Gymnothorax steindachneri, the brown speckled eel, Steindachner's moray eel, or puhi in Hawaiian, is a moray eel found in coral reefs in the eastern central Pacific Ocean, around Hawaii. It was scientifically described by David Starr Jordan and Barton Warren Evermann in 1903. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is rare in shallow reefs around the main Hawaiian Islands but are commonly found in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands only ranging as far as south of Oʻahu.

Description

The Steindachner's moray eel has almost a cone shaped head with straight jaws. It has a cream color with brown spots and lines on the throat. Near their gills, it has dark spots and its fins are outlined in white. It can grow up to.

Distribution and habitat

The Steindachner’s Moray Eel is endemic to Hawaii and can be found around O'ahu up to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is often found in shallow reefs with depths up to.

Diet and Behavior

Steindachner's moray eels mostly hide under rocks or caves during the day but at night is when they come out to hunt for food. They are a predatory fish that hunts and eats small fishes and small invertebrates such as shrimps and crabs.

Cultural Significance

Moray eels including the Steindachner's moray eels all play a role in oceanic life. Due to morays being predatory fishes, they are part of the food web which means that they also help maintain the food web too. This helps keep the ecosystem healthy and balanced. Moray Eels such as Steindachner's Moray Eel are health indicators to the reefs, meaning that a reef is healthy if the Eels are also part of it. Due to how these Eels are endemic to Hawaii, it’s important to keep this species alive and thriving for Hawaii’s unique marine diversity.