Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Muraena helena
- Common name
- Mediterranean moray
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Genus
- Muraena
- Size
- 80–150 cm
- Depth
- 5–100 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Venomous
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- solitary, nocturnal, predator, venomous
- Ocean zones
- Mediterranean, East Atlantic, Macaronesia
Description
Muraena helena reaches 1.5 m. Moray eel (Muraenidae) Mediterranean and temperate East Atlantic with serpentine body yellow-brown marbled with paler reticulated spots, powerful jaws lined with sharp teeth, tubular nostrils, gills reduced to a single slit. Lives from 5 to 50 m on rocky reefs, in crevices and caves, often showing only its head at the entrance of its lair. Nocturnal, predator of fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. Painful bite but non-aggressive behavior if undisturbed. Classic Mediterranean dive photo subject, one of the great emblematic fish of Mediterranean diving.
Photo of Mediterranean moray
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mediterranean moray?
- Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena) reaches 80–150 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mediterranean moray?
- Mediterranean moray is found between 5–100 m deep.
- Is the Mediterranean moray dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Venomous.
- What is the conservation status of the Mediterranean moray?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mediterranean moray?
- Found in: Mediterranean, East Atlantic, 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 126303)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2404329)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia