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Large-banded moray (Channomuraena vittata) — Muraenidae

Large-banded moray

Channomuraena vittata
Family: Muraenidae

The Large-banded moray (Channomuraena vittata) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–100.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Range
North America: Antigua Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Belize and others
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The large-banded moray is a large moray (Muraenidae) from tropical parts of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The species grows to about 1.5 metres and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body with broad, dark crossbands and a relatively short snout. As a secretive reef predator it hides deep in crevices of coral and rocky reefs by day and hunts crustaceans and fish. It can bite fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Large-banded moray?

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

Where does the Large-banded moray live?

The Large-banded moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Antigua Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Belize and others

How big does the Large-banded moray get?

The Large-banded moray grows to a maximum of about 150 cm. On average the species is around 80 cm.

Is the Large-banded moray dangerous to humans?

The Large-banded 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: have them assessed medically and check tetanus status.

Is the Large-banded moray edible?

The Large-banded moray is rarely eaten.

More photos

Large-banded moray (Channomuraena vittata) — Muraenidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Large-banded moray (Channomuraena vittata) — Muraenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) coralga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Large-banded moray (Channomuraena vittata) — Muraenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Xavier Rufray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Large-banded moray (Channomuraena vittata) — Muraenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) jamiewatts72, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Large-banded moray sourced
Scientific name
Channomuraena vittata
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Banded moray; Broadbanded Moray; Broadbanded moray; Long-jawed moray; Banded creeping eel; Chinese moray; Double-ended moray; Fat moray; Strange moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
150.0 verified
Average length (cm)
80.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Antigua Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Belize and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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: have them assessed medically and check tetanus status. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Muraenidae

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