Spotted moray (Gymnothorax moringa)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Gymnothorax moringa
- Common name
- Spotted moray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Genus
- Gymnothorax
- Size
- 100–200 cm
- Depth
- 1–200 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Caution
- Habitats
- reef, rocky
- Behaviours
- solitary, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Gymnothorax moringa reaches 2 m. Elongated cream-white body densely spotted dark-brown to black, giving a characteristic marbled look. The most commonly seen Caribbean moray on dives: its spots make it easy to identify from a distance. Solitary, lives in coral crevices and caves from 1 to 200 m. Nocturnal. Never reach into an unexplored hole.
Photo of Spotted moray
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Spotted moray?
- Spotted moray (Gymnothorax moringa) reaches 100–200 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Spotted moray?
- Spotted moray is found between 1–200 m deep.
- Is the Spotted moray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Caution.
- What is the conservation status of the Spotted moray?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Spotted moray?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Gymnothorax
- Gymnothorax unicolor - Brown moray
- Gymnothorax castaneus - Panamic green moray
- Gymnothorax dovii - Green-spotted Moray
- Gymnothorax flavimarginatus - Yellow-margined Moray
- Gymnothorax funebris - Green moray
- Gymnothorax javanicus - Giant moray
Other species in the family Muraenidae
- Muraena helena - Mediterranean moray
- Muraena augusti - Black moray
- Enchelycore anatina - Fangtooth moray
- Rhinomuraena quaesita - Ribbon moray
- Echidna nocturna - Panamic green moray
- Gymnomuraena zebra - Zebra moray
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 158584)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2404065)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia