Moray Eel: Types, Pictures, & Fun Facts

Moray Eel: All You Need To Know

The Moray eel (Muraenidae) is a carnivorous fish that belongs to the Animalia family, phylum Chordata, class Actinopterygii, order Anguilliformes, and family Muraenidae.

The moray eel can grow up to 1 to 13 feet long depending on the species and weigh up to 131 pounds, with a lifespan of up to 10 to 30 years. Moray eels are saltwater fish that feed on crustaceans, fish, and squid.

Moray eels are preyed upon by sharks, humans, and barracuda. Physical characteristics include brown, grey, yellow, blue, black, white, green and orange colours, with scales on the skin.

Moray eels may be found in waters all around the world. The majority of moray eels live in saltwater, with a few exceptions. These fish have a pair of jaws with a row of sharp teeth. This family of animals has 220 species.

3 Incredible Moray Eel Facts!

1. The moray eel is a fish with two jaws loaded with very sharp teeth. A human’s skin can be pierced by this fish’s bite.

2. These eels have small eyes and weak eyesight, but they have an excellent scent. They have a keen sense of smell, which aids them in locating prey in the dark ocean waters at night.

3. Moray eels are regarded to be hostile since they appear to be baring their teeth at all times. However, in order to breathe, this fish needs to keep its mouth slightly open.

Moray Eel Classification and Scientific Name

Muraena retifera is the scientific name for the moray eel. It’s also known as a reticulate moray. The name moray comes from the Greek word muraina, which refers to an eel species.

It is a member of the Muraenidae family and the Osteichthyes class. Within 16 genera, there are a total of 220 species. Muraeninae and Uropterygiinae are the two subfamilies of these taxa.

Various Moray Eel Species

The Muraenidae family has 220 different species of eels. The bulk of these species are found in saltwater environments. The following are some of the more noteworthy examples:

• The biggest species of moray eel is the giant moray eel. They can reach a length of 10 feet and a weight of 66 pounds. They may be found in coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

• Despite its name, the green moray eel’s skin is brown. This eel has mucus all over its body, which keeps parasites at bay. Its skin appears green because of the mucous. These fish may be found in the western Atlantic.

• The Mediterranean moray, sometimes known as the Roman moray, is a fish that lives in the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean are part of its range.

• Because of the pattern of black dots on its skin, the honeycomb moray eel is also known as the leopard eel. It may be found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and is one of the Great Barrier Reef’s eels.

Moray Eel Appearance

This creature’s hue is determined by its kind. Some people have brown or grey skin that is smooth. Others, such as the green moray eel and the ribbon eel, are brightly coloured. Other colours observed on this kind of fish are blue, white, and orange.

The jaws of this fish are divided into two rows, each having a row of sharp teeth. They feature a dorsal fin, as well as tail and anal fins, directly behind their heads. They also have tiny eyes on top of a long snout.

Depending on the species, a moray eel can grow to be 1 to 13 feet long. The dwarf, which lives off the coast of Hawaii, is the smallest of the species. It only reaches a length of 1 foot.

The slender moray eel, at 13 feet long, is the longest species. This family of fish comes in a broad range of sizes. The Hawaiian dwarf, for example, weighs only a few ounces, and the giant, the biggest species, weighs 66 pounds. A huge Conger eel is the largest fisherman has ever captured.

It had a height of 21 feet and a weight of 131 pounds. One of this creature’s most efficient protective traits is its teeth. The bites of several of the bigger species can inflict serious harm. Another defence mechanism is the venom found in an eel’s skin.

Moray Eel Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Numerous species reside in tropical or temperate ocean waters. They can be found in any body of water on the planet.A green moray eel, for example, may be found in the Atlantic Ocean around the Florida Keys and the Bahamas.

The Indo-Pacific Ocean area is home to the enormous moray eel, which may be found along Africa’s eastern coast. These fish may swim 600 feet deep into the ocean or shift into shallow water. Coral reefs and caverns are among their natural habitats.

The Great Barrier Reef, located on Australia’s Queensland coast, is home to a diverse range of creatures. The Great Barrier Reef is home to hundreds of species, including green, huge, and slender moray eels. These organisms have a conservation category of Least Concern.

The population is uncertain, as per the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Because these eels are secretive and spend much of their time hiding in coral reefs and rock crevices, the number is unknown. They are also nocturnal, making it difficult to spot them.

Moray Eel Predators and Prey

Barracudas, sea snakes, sharks, and groupers are among the predators. They are also caught in fishing nets, either intentionally or by chance. Least Concern is the conservation status of this species. However, growing water contamination poses a hazard to these species.

In addition, certain nations, such as Germany, Poland, Sweden, and Denmark, trap and consume these eels. Small fish, mollusks, octopus, and crustaceans make up a moray eel’s carnivorous diet.

Moray Eel Reproduction and Lifespan

The months of January and February are when the babies are born. At 2.5 years old, these mammals reach sexual maturity. A female produces roughly 10,000 eggs, which are fertilised by sperm from a male. As a result, reproduction takes place outside of a woman’s womb.

The larvae float in the open water once the eggs hatch. After a year of development, the larvae are robust enough to swim to the ocean’s deepest depths and hide. A moray eel’s lifetime spans from 10 to 40 years.

Moray Eel in Fishing and Cooking

Commercial fishermen do not target moray eels. However, they are occasionally captured accidently in industrial fishing nets. Eating moray eel carries a danger.

Ciguatera poisoning is a risk. This poison is carried in their skin, and it’s likely that it stays in the fish even after it’s cooked.

When someone ingests this poison, they become extremely unwell. Despite the risk of ciguatera poisoning, several nations, such as Germany, Poland, Sweden, and Denmark, consider this fish to be a delicacy. Each year, the quantity of moray eels captured is unclear.