Fin's Fish Guide
The Griffin's moray (Gymnothorax porphyreus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 103 cm.
Description
Griffin's moray is a large moray eel from the southern Pacific, around New Zealand and adjacent waters. The species grows to about 100 cm and has a snake-like, scaleless, purplish-brown to greyish body. As a nocturnal reef predator it shelters by day in crevices of rocky reefs and hunts fish and crustaceans at night. It is not aggressive, but can bite hard with sharp teeth if disturbed. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Griffin's moray?
The Griffin's moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Purple-brown snake-like body; nocturnal reef moray that bites when disturbed
Where does the Griffin's moray live?
The Griffin's moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South Pacific Ocean
How big does the Griffin's moray get?
The Griffin's moray grows to a maximum of about 103 cm.
Is the Griffin's moray dangerous to humans?
The Griffin's 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 and are hard to shake off. Clean any bite wound thoroughly, stop the bleeding and seek medical help; moray bites infect easily.
Is the Griffin's moray edible?
The Griffin's 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 Griffin's moray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Griffin's moray is one of 12,519 species in the app.