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Blackedge moray (Gymnothorax nigromarginatus) — Muraenidae

Blackedge moray

Gymnothorax nigromarginatus
Family: Muraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackedge moray (Gymnothorax nigromarginatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 99 cm.

Length
99 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Seagrass beds and shallow banks of the western Atlantic.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The blackedge moray (Gymnothorax nigromarginatus) is a moray of the family Muraenidae from the western Atlantic. The species has a snake- or eel-like, scaleless body with a continuous fin fringe edged in black, and reaches about one metre. It is abundant in seagrass beds and on shallow banks at 10 to 19 metres depth and is rarely found in bays or on coral reefs. As a nocturnal ambush predator it hides in holes and crevices by day and hunts fishes and crustaceans at night with its toothy mouth. Morays bite only when disturbed, but the bite can be painful and slow to heal.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackedge moray?

The Blackedge moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Black-edged fin margin; nocturnal, many-toothed stealth predator that bites only when disturbed.

Where does the Blackedge moray live?

The Blackedge moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Seagrass beds and shallow banks of the western Atlantic.

How big does the Blackedge moray get?

The Blackedge moray grows to a maximum of about 99 cm.

Is the Blackedge moray dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackedge moray is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Blackedge moray edible?

The Blackedge moray is rarely eaten.

More photos

Blackedge moray (Gymnothorax nigromarginatus) — Muraenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Tia Offner, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blackedge moray (Gymnothorax nigromarginatus) — Muraenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) brainycoral, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackedge moray (Gymnothorax nigromarginatus) — Muraenidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Barton Warren Evermann / William Converse Kendall (Public domain)
Blackedge moray (Gymnothorax nigromarginatus) — Muraenidae — 5
dorwageld (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Blackedge moray verified
Scientific name
Gymnothorax nigromarginatus
Family
Muraenidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
99.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Seagrass beds and shallow banks of the western Atlantic. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Black-edged fin margin; nocturnal, many-toothed stealth predator that bites only when disturbed. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Gymnothorax

More from the family Muraenidae

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