Snowflake Moray
Snowflake Moray
Echidna nebulosa
CommonMuraenidaeMay bite
ID points
- Black snowflake-shaped blotches evenly arranged on a white ground
- Short blunt snout with molar-like crushing teeth
- Often forages by day on shallow reef flats
Basics
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Length
- 60–100 cm
- Depth
- 0-30 m
- Regions
- Indo-Pacific reefs
- Distribution
- Shallow Indo-Pacific coral reefs
- Habitat
- Shallow reef flats and rubble
- Diet
- Crabs, shrimp
Easily confused with
Spotted MorayWhite ground densely covered with fine dark brown spots
Dragon MorayOrange-red ground densely covered in white spots, intensely coloured
Geometric MorayGrey-white ground covered with very fine brown specklesFun fact
The snowflake moray has unusual pebble like grinding teeth, built for crushing the shells of crabs and shrimp, and it is one of the few morays that live mainly on crustaceans. Its snowflake pattern of dark blotches on white makes it one of the easiest morays to recognise.