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Mottled conger moray (Enchelycore nigricans) — Muraenidae

Mottled conger moray

Enchelycore nigricans
Family: Muraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Mottled conger moray (Enchelycore nigricans) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The viper moray is a moray eel (family Muraenidae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about a metre and has a snake-like, dark brown to blackish body and strongly curved jaws full of needle-sharp teeth that cannot fully close. It is a benthic, solitary species common on shallow reefs and along rocky shores, where it shelters in crevices by day and hunts small fishes and crustaceans at night. It is caught incidentally and eaten fresh or salted in some areas. The species bites only when disturbed or handled carelessly.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mottled conger moray?

The Mottled conger moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Mottled conger moray live?

The Mottled conger moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Mottled conger moray get?

The Mottled conger moray grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Mottled conger moray dangerous to humans?

No, the Mottled conger moray is harmless to humans.

Is the Mottled conger moray edible?

The Mottled conger moray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Adder-murene sourced
English name
Mottled conger moray verified
Scientific name
Enchelycore nigricans
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Mottled conger moray; Mulatto conger; Viper moray; Viper Moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Enchelycore

More from the family Muraenidae

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