Can you identify this moray?

[abernat]

Seen in Bonaire this May. The colors are fairly accurate.

First-ever underwater photography!

 

[Boogie711]

Ahem:

"When the moon hits your eye
like a big pizza pie,
that's amore."

"When you go out of trim
and feel something bite your fin,
that's a Moray."

 

[Jetwrench]

From the search I just did, it looks like a golden morph, which would be part of the golden tail family(gymnothorax miliaris). Just a guess, so I'd imagine someone will come up with a "for sure" ID.

 

[justleesa]

would love to help...but wrong part of the ocean for my books

 

[Marriard]

Seen in Bonaire this May. The colors are fairly accurate.

This is indeed a color variation of the Goldentail Moray (Gymnothorax milaris) that is reasonable common in Bonaire.

M

 

[Rick Murchison]

This is indeed a color variation of the Goldentail Moray (Gymnothorax milaris) that is reasonable common in Bonaire.
M

It's certainly a beauty. Reckon I'll have to keep my eyes peeled better next time I'm down there. In 7 trips I haven't seen that color combo.

abernat - what site?

Rick

 

[louisianadiver]

Hello Abernat. Very nice photos. It would help to know the size of the eel, as goldentails only get to be 2-3 feet in length. However, from the distinctive yellow band in the eyes it looks like a goldentail with reverse coloration. The Humann book lists it as "rare", but I've seen several in Bonaire. Here's a look at what I am sure is a reverse color goldentail for comparison:

And a normally colored goldentail, also from Bonaire:

Clay

 

[abernat]

Thanks to all who figured this out for me. We saw it in about 15 feet of water at Angel City. It is small, definitely under 3 feet. I had read the Humann book, but wasn't sure that the spot pattern worked. And my daughter, who was the one to spot it, was definitely positively sure that it was a white chocolate moray :^)

 

[Rick Murchison]

And my daughter, who was the one to spot it, was definitely positively sure that it was a white chocolate moray :^)

HHhhaarrr! Love it. If it ain't it oughta be...
What a beautiful animal. I hope it's still hanging out there for me on my next Bonaire trip.
Just gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing.
Rick