Moray Eels
Moral Eels are one of about fifteen eel families. Morays are bony fish whose bodies lack scales and fins, allowing them to move freely through small crevices. Their bodies are protected by a thickened skin with dorsal, anal, and caudal fins remaining as fleshy ridges. They move by swimming in an S- shaped wave, forwards and backwards. They have an elongated head with a gaping mouth, which allows water to flow over their gills. Their nostrils, or nares, are tube-like and are often developed in an extremely decorative fashion (for example the Blue Ribbon Eel).
Morays are not generally aggressive animals, however they do possess formidable razor-sharp teeth. Bites from provoked morays will produce ragged wounds prone to infection due to the bacteria living inside their mouths. They will not attack prey greater in size than themselves and have the ability to tie themselves in knots to gain leverage while eating. The main predator of Moray eels are other eels and Gropers. Moray Eels emerge from their holes, caves and crevices during the night to hunt prey over the reef. They spend the majority of their time in well protected rocky areas or on the reef.
Encounters:
When divers approach morays they often disappear into their hiding place or maintain a defensive posture with their mouths open wide, displaying their impressive teeth. Most bites only occur when hands or feet are moved too close to the moray's protective shelter.
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Scientific Name Order:
Angulilliformes Family: Muraenidae
Diet:
Morays are omnivores and will eat most anything (fish or invertebrate) within their ability to catch, including other eels. Their amazing sense of smell helps them hunt.
Facts:
There are 200 described species of morays. They are found worldwide in sub-tropical areas;
They prefer shallow to moderate depths;
They range in size from 20cm (Redface Eel) to 3.75 meters (Longtail Moray);
Not much is yet known on the breeding habit of morays;
But like all eels, they produce eggs and following their hatching is a larval phase called leptocephalus.
Research and Conservation of Moray Eels:
Green Moray Listed on IUCN Red List http://www.iucnredlist.org
Green Moray listed in CITES http://www.cites.org
Gray's Reef Research Project: http://graysreef.noaa.gov/research.html
moray eel photo by Kelly O'Connell