Chain moray (Echidna catenata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Echidna catenata
- Common name
- Chain moray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Genus
- Echidna
- Size
- 50–165 cm
- Depth
- 1–15 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Caution
- Habitats
- rocky, reef
- Behaviours
- nocturnal, solitary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Echidna catenata reaches 1.65 m. Black or dark-brown body marked with a characteristic vivid yellow or cream chain pattern. Blunt teeth adapted to crushing crustaceans (unlike the sharp teeth of Gymnothorax). Lives very close to the surface in Caribbean rocks and seagrass, from 1 to 15 m. Often seen while snorkeling, even in 30 cm of water. Never reach into a hole.
Photo of Chain moray
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Chain moray?
- Chain moray (Echidna catenata) reaches 50–165 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Chain moray?
- Chain moray is found between 1–15 m deep.
- Is the Chain moray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Caution.
- What is the conservation status of the Chain moray?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Chain moray?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Echidna
- Echidna nocturna - Panamic green moray
- Echidna nebulosa - Snowflake Moray Eel
- Echidna polyzona - Striped Moray Eel
Other species in the family Muraenidae
- Muraena helena - Mediterranean moray
- Muraena augusti - Black moray
- Gymnothorax unicolor - Brown moray
- Enchelycore anatina - Fangtooth moray
- Rhinomuraena quaesita - Ribbon moray
- Gymnothorax castaneus - Panamic green moray
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 278676)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5213083)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia