Black moray (Muraena augusti)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Muraena augusti
- Common name
- Black moray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Genus
- Muraena
- Size
- 80–150 cm
- Depth
- 3–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Venomous
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- solitary, nocturnal, predator
- Ocean zones
- Macaronesia
Description
Muraena augusti reaches 150 cm. Moray of Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, Canaries) and West Africa. Body uniformly dark purple-brown to very distinctive black, hence black moray name, sometimes paler head, large yellow eyes. Lives from 3 to 80 m in caves, crevices and rocky scree. Nocturnal predator of fish and cephalopods. Smaller and darker than M. helena (Mediterranean). Iconic encounter of Canary and Madeiran dives. Little wary, lets itself be photographed well.
Photo of Black moray
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Black moray?
- Black moray (Muraena augusti) reaches 80–150 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Black moray?
- Black moray is found between 3–80 m deep.
- Is the Black moray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Venomous.
- What is the conservation status of the Black moray?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Black moray?
- Found in: Macaronesia.
Other species in the genus Muraena
Other species in the family Muraenidae
- Gymnothorax unicolor - Brown moray
- Enchelycore anatina - Fangtooth moray
- Rhinomuraena quaesita - Ribbon moray
- Echidna nocturna - Panamic green moray
- Gymnothorax castaneus - Panamic green moray
- Gymnomuraena zebra - Zebra moray
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 299565)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2404326)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia