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Freckled moray (Echidna nocturna) — Muraenidae

Freckled moray

Echidna nocturna
Family: Muraenidae

The Freckled moray (Echidna nocturna) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 71 cm.

Length
71 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
May bite

Description

The Freckled moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 71 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The brown body is scattered with numerous pale and dark freckles. Unlike many morays it has blunt, pebble-like teeth for crushing shellfish. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices by day and hunts crabs and shrimp at night. It can bite when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freckled moray?

The Freckled moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Freckled moray live?

The Freckled moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Freckled moray get?

The Freckled moray grows to a maximum of about 71 cm.

Is the Freckled moray dangerous to humans?

The Freckled moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sproetel-murene sourced
English name
Freckled moray sourced
Scientific name
Echidna nocturna
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Moray; Palenose moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
71.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Echidna

More from the family Muraenidae

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