Fin's Fish Guide
The Masked moray (Gymnothorax panamensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 75 cm.
Description
The masked moray is a moray eel from the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru. The species grows to about 75 cm and has a snake-like, scaleless, brownish-grey body with dark blotches around the eyes that look like a mask. As a nocturnal reef predator it shelters by day in crevices of rocky reefs and hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid at night. It can bite with sharp teeth if disturbed. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Masked moray?
The Masked moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Dark eyespots forming a mask; nocturnal reef moray that bites when disturbed
Where does the Masked moray live?
The Masked moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific
How big does the Masked moray get?
The Masked moray grows to a maximum of about 75 cm.
Is the Masked moray dangerous to humans?
The Masked moray 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 and are hard to shake off. Clean any bite wound thoroughly, stop the bleeding and seek medical help; moray bites infect easily.
Is the Masked moray edible?
The Masked moray is rarely eaten.
More photos
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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 Masked moray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Masked moray is one of 12,519 species in the app.