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Moluccan moray (Gymnothorax moluccensis) — Muraenidae

Moluccan moray

Gymnothorax moluccensis
Family: Muraenidae

The Moluccan moray (Gymnothorax moluccensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Moluccan moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The body is plain brown with a paler throat. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices of coral and rocky reefs by day and seizes fish, crustaceans and squid at night. It bites fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Moluccan moray?

The Moluccan moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Moluccan moray live?

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

How big does the Moluccan moray get?

The Moluccan moray grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Moluccan moray dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Moluccan moray edible?

Yes, the Moluccan moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Molukse murene sourced
English name
Moluccan moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax moluccensis
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Moluccen moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Gymnothorax

More from the family Muraenidae

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