Maldives Marine Life

Marine life of Maldivian waters

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Common false moray
No photo available
Illustration
Illustration: Homefront / Abacus AI, © Homefront AuctionsOriginal illustration based on published descriptions

Common false moray

Kaupichthys diodontus

Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).

English
Common false moray
Scientific
Kaupichthys diodontus
Dhivehi
No recorded Dhivehi name
Group
Eels
Family
Chlopsidae (false morays)
Maximum size
Up to about 30 cm (total length)
Depth and habitat
Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 56 m
IUCN status
LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2019

Description

A small, secretive false moray reaching about 30 cm, with a moray-like body but small pectoral fins. It hides among coral and rubble on seaward reefs.

Sources

Dhivehi name source: No Dhivehi name found in MRS 1997 (available chapters), FishBase (country: Maldives) or Dhivehi Wikipedia.