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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
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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.

Where does the Honeycomb moray live?

The Honeycomb moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

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.

Is the Honeycomb moray edible?

Yes, the Honeycomb moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartoor-murene sourced
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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified

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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