Fin's Fish Guide
The Freshwater moray (Gymnothorax tile) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 60 cm.
Description
The freshwater moray is a moray eel from coastal, estuarine and fresh water of South and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a snake-like, scaleless, dark-grey body speckled with fine yellow spots. Unlike most morays it tolerates brackish and even fresh water and lives in river mouths, mangroves and tidal creeks. As a nocturnal predator it shelters in burrows and crevices and hunts small fish and crustaceans. It can bite with sharp teeth if disturbed. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Freshwater moray?
The Freshwater moray has a snake-like body, is mainly black and shows a spots pattern. Tolerates fresh and brackish water; nocturnal estuarine moray that bites when disturbed
Where does the Freshwater moray live?
The Freshwater moray lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South and Southeast Asia
How big does the Freshwater moray get?
The Freshwater moray grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.
Is the Freshwater moray dangerous to humans?
The Freshwater 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 Freshwater moray edible?
The Freshwater 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 Freshwater moray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Freshwater moray is one of 12,519 species in the app.