Fin's Fish Guide
The Brown moray (Gymnothorax monochrous) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 80 cm.
Description
The drab moray is a moray eel from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 80 cm and has a snake-like, scaleless, uniformly brown body without conspicuous markings. As a nocturnal reef predator it shelters by day in crevices and cavities of rocky and coral reefs and hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid at night. It can bite hard with sharp teeth if disturbed. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
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 snake-like body; nocturnal reef moray that bites when disturbed
Where does the Brown moray live?
The Brown moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Brown moray get?
The Brown moray grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.
Is the Brown moray dangerous to humans?
The Brown moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Morays do not bite unprovoked, but when disturbed or caught they can bite deeply with backward-pointing teeth. Clean any bite wound thoroughly, stop the bleeding and seek medical help; moray bites infect easily.
Is the Brown moray edible?
The Brown moray is rarely eaten.
More photos
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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.