Dragon Moray

[myerst22]

Hello i am looking for information about the Japanese Dragon Moray. What are the differences between Hawaiian and Japanese varietes? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tim

[Ninong]

The Hawaiian Dragon Moray and the Japanese Dragon Moray are the same fish, Enchelycore pardalis. Some pictures online show it more yellow and others show it more orange but those color differences are related to different stages in its growth, not differences based on geographical location. As far as I know, there are no differences. We're talking about two different common names for the same fish.



P.S. -- As you probably already know, it's extremely aggressive, carnivorous, nocturnal and reaches a maximum adult length of about 3-ft.

As noted on Fishbase, it's proper common name is Leopard Moray, based on it's scientific name. Pardus is Latin for leopard (a male leopard). A female leopard is panthera in Latin.

[Ninong]

Hello i am looking for information about the Japanese Dragon Moray. What are the differences between Hawaiian and Japanese varietes? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tim

Tim,

According to Keoki Stender, the fish in that photograph was found at a depth of 80 feet, Angel Ledge, Midway Atoll. Midway is closer to Hawaii than it is to Japan.

Here is another picture of the same species taken at the exact same location as the photograph you posted (80 feet, Angel Ledge, Midway Atoll):


This photo of the same species was taken at a depth of 50 feet Yawatano, Japan:


Keoki has photos of seven different specimens of this species here. Of the seven photos, the one at the very bottom (filmed in Hawaii) is obviously a much younger specimen than the ones with darker coloration.

[Ninong]

I googled "Enchelycore pardalis color changes" and came up with this information.