[4] It was described by John Richardson in 1845, originally under the genus Muraena.

It dwells at a depth range of 2 to 20 metres (6.6 to 65.6 ft), and leads a benthic lifestyle in reefs and shallow lagoons.

Males can reach a maximum total length of 72.3 centimetres (28.5 in).

The barred moray's diet consists of shrimp such as Saron marmoratus, crabs, isopods, and polychaetes,[5][6] which it feeds on during both day and night.

It is of commercial interest to both subsistence fisheries and the aquarium trade.