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Honeycomb moray (Muraena melanotis) — Muraenidae

Honeycomb moray

Muraena melanotis
Family: Muraenidae

The Honeycomb moray (Muraena melanotis) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–60.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
May bite
Range
Africa: Angola, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Congo Dem Rp and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The honeycomb moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body with a marbled and reticulate pattern of dark and pale blotches and a conspicuous dark spot around the gill opening. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices of rocky reefs by day and seizes fish and crustaceans at night. It bites fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Honeycomb moray?

The Honeycomb moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

Where does the Honeycomb moray live?

The Honeycomb moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Angola, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Congo Dem Rp and others

How big does the Honeycomb moray get?

The Honeycomb moray grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Honeycomb moray dangerous to humans?

The Honeycomb moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Do not feed or reach into crevices. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Moray bites are deep and prone to infection: always have them assessed medically and check tetanus status.

Is the Honeycomb moray edible?

Yes, the Honeycomb moray is commonly eaten.

More photos

Honeycomb moray (Muraena melanotis) — Muraenidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — thibaudaronson (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Honeycomb moray (Muraena melanotis) — Muraenidae — 3
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Honeycomb moray (Muraena melanotis) — Muraenidae — 4
Rui Ribeiro (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Honeycomb moray (Muraena melanotis) — Muraenidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — thibaudaronson (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Honeycomb moray sourced
Scientific name
Muraena melanotis
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Angola, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Congo Dem Rp and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified
First aid
Do not feed or reach into crevices. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Moray bites are deep and prone to infection: always have them assessed medically and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Muraena

More from the family Muraenidae

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