Moray eel
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| Moray eel | ||||||||||
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 Reticulated moray (Gymnothorax polygonius) | ||||||||||
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Moray eels are large cosmopolitan eels of the family Muraenidae. There are approximately 200 species in 15 genera, the largest being the slender giant moray (Strophidon sathete) at up to 4 m (13 feet) in length. Most morays measure in at 1.5 m (5 feet) in length.
Moray eels frequent tropical and subtropical coral reefs to depths of 200 m, where they spend most of their time crammed inside crevices and alcoves. They secrete a protective mucus over their scaleless skin which contains a toxin in some species. Their small circular gills, located on the flanks far posterior to the mouth, require the moray eel to maintain a gape in order to facilitate respiration.
The dorsal fin extends from just behind the head, along the back and joins seamlessly with the caudal and anal fin. Most species lack pectoral and pelvic fins, adding to their snake-like appearance. Their eyes are rather small; morays rely on their highly developed sense of smell, lying in wait to ambush their prey.
Their bodies are patterned cryptically, the camouflage also being present inside the mouth. Their wide jaws are armed with sizable sharp teeth efficient at tearing flesh, making moray eels a subject best enjoyed from afar.
Morays are carnivorous and feed primarily on other fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. Groupers and other moray eels are among their few predators. There is a commercial fishery for several species, but some have been known to cause ciguatera fish poisoning.
Family Muraenidae
The following is an incomplete breakdown of the family. Please add to it as required.
- Subfamily Muraeninae
- Genus Cirrimaxilla
- Species Cirrimaxilla formosa
- Genus Echidna
- Species Echidna amblyodon
- Species Echidna catenata - Chain moray
- Species Echidna nebulosa - Snowflake moray
- Species Echidna peli - Pebbletooth moray
- Genus Enchelycore
- Species Enchelycore anatina - Fangtooth moray
- Species Enchelycore bayeri - Hookjaw moray
- Species Enchelycore bikiniensis - Bikini Atoll moray
- Species Enchelycore nigricans - Mulatto conger
- Genus Enchelynassa
- Species Enchelynassa canina - Viper moray
- Genus Gymnothorax
- Genus Cirrimaxilla
California_Moray.jpg
- Species Gymnothorax afer - Dark moray
- Species Gymnothorax albimarginatus - Whitemargin moray
- Species Gymnothorax angusticauda
- Species Gymnothorax angusticeps
- Species Gymnothorax annulatus
- Species Gymnothorax atolli - Atoll moray
- Species Gymnothorax australicola
- Species Gymnothorax berndti - Y-patterned moray
- Species Gymnothorax breedeni - Blackcheek moray
- Species Gymnothorax elegans - Elegant moray
- Species Gymnothorax favagineus - Laced moray
- Species Gymnothorax johnsoni - Whitespotted moray
- Species Gymnothorax miliaris - Goldentail moray
- Species Gymnothorax mordax - California Moray
- Species Gymnothorax moringa - Spotted moray
- Species Gymnothorax polygonius - Reticulated moray
- Genus Monopenchelys
- Species Monopenchelys acuta - Redface moray
- Genus Muraena
- Species Muraena appendiculata
- Species Muraena argus - White-spotted moray
- Species Muraena clepsydra - Hourglass moray
- Species Muraena helena - Mediterranean moray
- Species Muraena melanotis - Honeycomb moray
- Genus Pseudechidna
- Species Pseudechidna brummeri - White ribbon eel
- Genus Rhinomuraena
- Species Rhinomuraena quaesita - Ribbon moray
- Genus Strophidon
- Species Strophidon sathete - Slender giant moray
- Subfamily Uropterygiinae
- Genus Anarchias
- Species Anarchias allardicei - Allardice's moray
- Species Anarchias cantonensis - Canton Island moray
- Species Anarchias euryurus
- Species Anarchias galapagensis - Minute moray
- Genus Channomuraena
- Species Channomuraena vittata - Broadbanded moray
- Genus Scuticaria
- Species Scuticaria okinawae - Shorttailed snake moray
- Genus Uropterygius
- Species Uropterygius concolor - Unicolor snake moray
- Species Uropterygius fasciolatus - Blotched moray
- Species Uropterygius macularius - Marbled moray
- Species Uropterygius xanthopterus - Freckleface reef-eel
- Genus Anarchias
External link
- http://www.itis.usda.gov ITIS Taxonomic Serial No.: 161160de:Muränen