---
title: Yellowhead Moray (Gymnothorax rueppelliae)
scientific_name: Gymnothorax rueppelliae
common_name: Yellowhead Moray
taxon: Moray eel
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-10-25T18:45:44.150Z
updated: 2025-11-25T13:58:09.000Z
tags: Yellowhead Moray, Gymnothorax rueppelliae, Moray eel, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/moray-eel/yellowhead-moray
---

# Yellowhead Moray (*Gymnothorax rueppelliae*)

**Taxon:** Moray eel (*Muraenidae*)  
**Conservation Status:** LC - Least Concern  


Gymnothorax rueppelliae, commonly known as the banded moray, banded reef eel, or Rüppell's moray eel, is a marine species inhabiting tropical coral reef environments. This species is characterized by its pale grey to greyish-brown body adorned with 16-21 distinct dark bars. Notably, it features a bright yellow head and a dark spot located at the corner of the mouth. 

Gymnothorax rueppelliae can be distinguished from its close relative, Gymnothorax pikei, primarily by its reduced number of vomerine teeth. The banded moray typically attains a maximum length of 80 cm. 

Geographically, this species is distributed across a wide range, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, Tuamotu, the Marquesas Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, and south to the Great Barrier Reef. 

Primarily nocturnal, Gymnothorax rueppelliae occupies depths ranging from 1 to 40 meters, where it predominantly preys upon fish, crabs, and shrimp.

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/moray-eel/yellowhead-moray)*
*Updated: November 25, 2025*