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Slenderjaw moray (Enchelycore octaviana) — Muraenidae

Slenderjaw moray

Enchelycore octaviana
Family: Muraenidae

The Slenderjaw moray (Enchelycore octaviana) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 91 cm.

Length
91 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–40.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite

Description

The Slenderjaw moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 91 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body with conspicuously curved jaws that do not fully close, leaving the long, glass-sharp fangs exposed. The body is plain brown. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices by day and seizes fish and squid at night. It bites fiercely and the sharp teeth inflict deep wounds; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slenderjaw moray?

The Slenderjaw moray has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Slenderjaw moray live?

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

How big does the Slenderjaw moray get?

The Slenderjaw moray grows to a maximum of about 91 cm.

Is the Slenderjaw moray dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slankkaak-murene sourced
English name
Slenderjaw moray sourced
Scientific name
Enchelycore octaviana
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Slenderjaw moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
91.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Enchelycore

More from the family Muraenidae

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