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Mosaic moray (Enchelycore ramosa) — Muraenidae

Mosaic moray

Enchelycore ramosa
Family: Muraenidae

The Mosaic moray (Enchelycore ramosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Range
Oceania: Australia, Chile, Easter I., French Polynesia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is. and others

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Description

The Mosaic moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the southwest Pacific, around Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 150 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body with conspicuously curved jaws that do not fully close, leaving the long, glass-sharp fangs exposed. The body bears a mosaic of dark and pale blotches. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices by day and seizes fish and squid at night. It bites fiercely and the sharp teeth inflict deep wounds; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mosaic moray?

The Mosaic moray has a snake-like body and is mainly white. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

Where does the Mosaic moray live?

The Mosaic moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Chile, Easter I., French Polynesia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is. and others

How big does the Mosaic moray get?

The Mosaic moray grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.

Is the Mosaic moray dangerous to humans?

The Mosaic 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.

More photos

Mosaic moray (Enchelycore ramosa) — Muraenidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Mosaic moray (Enchelycore ramosa) — Muraenidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Mosaic moray (Enchelycore ramosa) — Muraenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) nathan_fripp, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mosaic moray (Enchelycore ramosa) — Muraenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Luca Davenport-Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Mosaic moray sourced
Scientific name
Enchelycore ramosa
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Mosaic moray; Mosaic eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
150.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Chile, Easter I., French Polynesia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is. 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

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: 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 Enchelycore

More from the family Muraenidae

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