Fin's Fish Guide
The Liver-colored moray eel (Gymnothorax hepaticus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 100 cm.
Description
The liver-colored moray is a moray eel from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 100 cm and has a snake-like, scaleless, uniformly liver-brown body. As a nocturnal reef predator it shelters by day in crevices of rocky and coral reefs and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night. It is not aggressive, but can bite hard with sharp teeth if disturbed. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Liver-colored moray eel?
The Liver-colored moray eel has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Uniformly liver-brown snake-like body; nocturnal reef moray that bites when disturbed
Where does the Liver-colored moray eel live?
The Liver-colored moray eel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Liver-colored moray eel get?
The Liver-colored moray eel grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.
Is the Liver-colored moray eel dangerous to humans?
The Liver-colored moray eel can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Morays do not bite unprovoked, but when disturbed or caught they can bite deeply with backward-pointing teeth. Clean any bite wound thoroughly, stop the bleeding and seek medical help; moray bites infect easily.
Is the Liver-colored moray eel edible?
The Liver-colored moray eel is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Gymnothorax
More from the family Muraenidae
Want the complete picture on the Liver-colored moray eel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Liver-colored moray eel is one of 12,519 species in the app.