[2] It was described by Pieter Bleeker in 1853, originally under the genus Muraena.

[3] It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the western Pacific Ocean, including China, Indonesia, and India.

It inhabits rocky reefs in shallow, warm seas.

Males can reach a maximum total length of 30 centimetres (12 in).

[2] The diet of M. gymnopterus consists of finfish and phytoplankton.