Additions to the species composition of morays of the Bay of Nha Trang (south china sea, Central Vietnam) (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae)

Herein is given information on eight species of morays recorded from the soft grounds in the Bay of Nha Trang (Central Vietnam); one of these species is, obviously, new for science. Gymnothorax prolatus formerly known by two specimens from off Taiwan is recorded for the first time for Vietnam. There are doubts in the correctness of separation of the genera Strophidonand Pseudechidnafrom the genus Gymnothorax in its present understanding. Herein is given a description of a juvenile specimen of the genus Gymnothoraxfrom the coral reefs of Tre Island, which does not fit into the descriptions of all the known species of this genus. A key for identification of morays inhabiting the soft grounds of the Bay of Nha Trang is given. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2010.