Shortfin false moray

The shortfin false moray^[2] (Kaupichthys brachychirus) is an eel in the family Chlopsidae.^[3] It was described by Leonard Peter Schultz in 1953.^[4] It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from American Samoa, Samoa, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Wallis and Futuna.^[1] It typically dwells in seaward and lagoon coral reefs at an approximate depth of 43 m. Males can reach a maximum total length of 13 centimetres (5.1 in).^[3]

Shortfin false moray
Biofluorescence of Kaupichthys brachychirus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Anguilliformes
Family:	Chlopsidae
Genus:	Kaupichthys
Species:	K. brachychirus
Binomial name
Kaupichthys brachychirus L. P. Schultz, 1953

The shortfin false moray exhibits biofluorescence, that is, when illuminated by blue or ultraviolet light, it re-emits it as green, and appears differently than under white light illumination. Biofluorescence may assist in intraspecific communication and camouflage.^[5]

Owing to its wide distribution, and lack of knowledge of threats or observed population declines, the IUCN Redlist currently lists the shortfin false moray as Least Concern.^[1]