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Common hawaiian moray (Gymnothorax undulatus) — Muraenidae

Common hawaiian moray

Gymnothorax undulatus
Family: Muraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Common hawaiian moray (Gymnothorax undulatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–110.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The undulated moray is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific. The species has an elongate, snake-like body reaching about 150 cm, with a dark ground colour and an undulating, lighter network pattern, and a yellow head. By day it shelters in crevices and holes of reef flats and lagoons; at night it actively hunts fishes and octopuses. With its powerful jaws and sharp teeth it can inflict a serious bite, so caution is needed. The undulated moray is a common, mainly nocturnal reef dweller.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common hawaiian moray?

The Common hawaiian moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Common hawaiian moray live?

The Common hawaiian moray lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Common hawaiian moray get?

The Common hawaiian moray grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.

Is the Common hawaiian moray dangerous to humans?

The Common hawaiian moray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Common hawaiian moray edible?

The Common hawaiian moray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gegolfde murene sourced
English name
Common hawaiian moray verified
Scientific name
Gymnothorax undulatus
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Common moray eel; Leopard moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
150.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
110.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No 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
Venomous / poisonous 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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