Fin's Fish Guide
The Slender giant moray (Strophidon sathete) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 400 cm.
Description
The slender giant moray is, at up to 4 metres long, the longest moray eel in the world. It occurs in the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific. The species has a very elongate, snake-like, brownish-grey body and lives over muddy bottoms of shallow coastal waters, estuaries and sometimes rivers to about 15 metres depth; it is amphidromous. From a burrow it hunts small fish and crustaceans. With its powerful jaws and sharp teeth it can bite badly when disturbed. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Slender giant moray?
The Slender giant moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Longest moray in the world (up to 4 m); mud and estuary dweller living in a burrow
Where does the Slender giant moray live?
The Slender giant moray lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Slender giant moray get?
The Slender giant moray grows to a maximum of about 400 cm. On average the species is around 70 cm.
Is the Slender giant moray dangerous to humans?
The Slender giant moray can cause injury; handle it with care. The powerful jaws with sharp teeth cause deep, tearing bite wounds that infect easily. Clean and disinfect the wound thoroughly and seek medical help; deep bites often need suturing and a tetanus check.
Is the Slender giant moray edible?
The Slender giant moray is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Muraenidae
Want the complete picture on the Slender giant moray?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Slender giant moray is one of 12,519 species in the app.