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Black moray (Gymnothorax funebris) — Muraenidae

Black moray

Gymnothorax funebris
Family: Muraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black moray (Gymnothorax funebris) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 250 cm.

Length
250 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The green moray is a large moray (family Muraenidae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species can reach about 2.5 metres and has a powerful, eel-shaped body without pectoral fins; its green colour arises from a yellowish mucus layer over the blue-grey skin. It lives solitarily along rocky shores, reefs and mangroves, usually shallower than 30 metres, and shelters in crevices by day. At night it hunts fishes and crustaceans. Owing to its size and powerful bite it can inflict serious injuries if approached carelessly.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black moray?

The Black moray has a snake-like body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black moray live?

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

How big does the Black moray get?

The Black moray grows to a maximum of about 250 cm. On average the species is around 150 cm.

Is the Black moray dangerous to humans?

The Black moray can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Black moray edible?

The Black moray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groene murene sourced
English name
Black moray verified
Scientific name
Gymnothorax funebris
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Black moray; Green cong; Green conger; Green congo; Green eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
250.0 verified
Average length (cm)
150.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green 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)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes 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
Can cause injury sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gymnothorax

More from the family Muraenidae

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