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Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae

Fine-spotted moray

Echidna delicatula
Family: Muraenidae

The Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Range
Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

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Description

The Fine-spotted moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 65 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The light-brown body is densely scattered with fine dark spots. 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 Fine-spotted moray?

The Fine-spotted moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

Where does the Fine-spotted moray live?

The Fine-spotted moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Fine-spotted moray get?

The Fine-spotted moray grows to a maximum of about 65 cm.

Is the Fine-spotted moray dangerous to humans?

The Fine-spotted moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Do not feed or reach into crevices. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Moray bites are prone to infection: have them assessed medically and check tetanus status.

More photos

Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Jean-Marie Gradot (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan / Alvin Seale (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Fine-spotted moray sourced
Scientific name
Echidna delicatula
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Mottled moray; Fine-speckled moray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified
First aid
Do not feed or reach into crevices. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Moray bites are prone to infection: have them assessed medically and check tetanus status. sourced

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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