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Spotted moray (Gymnothorax moringa) — Muraenidae

Spotted moray

Gymnothorax moringa
Family: Muraenidae

The Spotted moray (Gymnothorax moringa) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–200.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The spotted moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 2 metres and has an elongate, snake-shaped, scaleless body with a white to yellowish ground densely covered with dark spots. As a nocturnal reef predator it hides by day in crevices of coral and rocky reefs, with only the head showing, and seizes fish, crustaceans and octopus at night. It bites fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted moray?

The Spotted moray has a snake-like body.

Where does the Spotted moray live?

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

How big does the Spotted moray get?

The Spotted moray grows to a maximum of about 200 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Spotted moray dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Spotted moray edible?

Yes, the Spotted moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevlekte murene sourced
English name
Spotted moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax moringa
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Common spotted moray; Conger verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like 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)
200.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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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