Fin's Fish Guide
The Brown moray (Gymnothorax unicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 100 cm.
Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, on rocky and hole-riddled bottoms of shallow to moderately deep water.
Description
The brown moray is a uniformly dark-brown moray of the family Muraenidae reaching about 1 metre. The snake-like, scaleless body lacks pectoral fins and has a continuous fin fringe over back, tail and belly; the mouth is set with sharp, backward-pointing teeth. By day the moray shelters with only its head out of a rock crevice, rhythmically opening and closing its mouth to pump water over the gills. The species lives on rocky bottoms of the Mediterranean and the adjacent eastern Atlantic. At night it ambushes fish, squid and crustaceans. It is not venomous, but can bite fiercely when disturbed; its teeth cause deep wounds that readily become infected.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Brown moray?
The Brown moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Uniformly brown moray without pectoral fins, with a continuous fin fringe and a mouth full of sharp teeth; shelters in rock crevices during the day.
Where does the Brown moray live?
The Brown moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, on rocky and hole-riddled bottoms of shallow to moderately deep water.
How big does the Brown moray get?
The Brown moray grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.
Is the Brown moray dangerous to humans?
The Brown moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Not venomous, but the bite of the sharp teeth can be deep and painful and quickly become infected: clean the wound thoroughly, disinfect and seek medical help for a serious bite.
Is the Brown moray edible?
The Brown moray is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Brown moray and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Gymnothorax
More from the family Muraenidae
Want the complete picture on the Brown moray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Brown moray is one of 12,519 species in the app.