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Stout moray (Muraena robusta) — Muraenidae

Stout moray

Muraena robusta
Family: Muraenidae

The Stout moray (Muraena robusta) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–45.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The stout moray is a moray eel (Muraenidae) from reef water of the eastern Atlantic, off West Africa. The species grows to about 1.5 metres and has an elongate, muscular, scaleless, eel-like body without pectoral fins, a long dorsal fin margin and a strong mouth full of sharp teeth. As a nocturnal ambush predator it shelters by day with only its head out of a crevice and hunts fish, squid and crustaceans by night. When disturbed or handled it can give a deep, tearing bite; keep hands out of crevices.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stout moray?

The Stout moray has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Stout moray live?

The Stout moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Stout moray get?

The Stout moray grows to a maximum of about 150 cm. On average the species is around 100 cm.

Is the Stout moray dangerous to humans?

The Stout moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

Is the Stout moray edible?

Yes, the Stout moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stevige murene sourced
English name
Stout moray sourced
Scientific name
Muraena robusta
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Stout moray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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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