Moray Eel

ID points

• Snake-like body with no pectoral or pelvic fins
• Hides in a reef crevice with only the head out, mouth opening and closing
• Dorsal and tail fins joined into a single fold of skin

Basics

Family

Muraenidae

Length

60–150 cm

Depth

0-150 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic

Distribution

Crevices in tropical coral reefs worldwide

Diet

Fish, octopus, crustaceans

Easily confused with

Undulated MorayYellow-green wavy net pattern on a dark brown groundRibbon EelFront nostrils flare open into leaf-like petalsYellow-margin MorayDorsal and anal fins edged in bright yellow

Fun fact

A moray eel has two sets of jaws. The outer jaws seize the prey, and a second set of pharyngeal jaws then shoots forwards from the throat to drag the meal down, a double-jaw system found in very few animals.

More in this family

• Dragon Moray
• Geometric Moray
• Giant Moray
• Snowflake Moray
• Spotted Moray