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Order : Anguilliformes
Family : MURAENIDAE
Species : around 200 species in numerous genera
Maximum Length : up to 3.9 metres in
Strophidon sathete (Slender Giant Moray)
The
family Muraenidae comprises, as of 2024, more than 200 species of moray eel in
16 genera. The genus with the greatest number of species is that of
Gymnothorax, which comprises more than 120 species.
Moray eels have dorsal fins along the entire length of the body which is
continuous with the caudal (tail) fins and anal fins. Most forms do not
possess pectoral or pelvic fins. They have an elongated head and wide gape.
Their skin lacks scales, but is protected by a layer of mucus; the latter
allows some species to easily construct their burrow in sandy substrates.
These eels prey on a range of aquatic vertebrates, particularly other
fishes, as well as crustaceans and soft-bodied invertebrates such as
octopuses. They are mostly ambush predators which lie in wait for passing
prey.
Two tropical species which occur in Southeast Asia are shown here; one from
shallow, coral reef habitat (Gymnothorax undulatus or Undulated
Moray) and one from brackish, intertidal mudflats (Gymnothorax tile
or Estuarine Moray).
Fig 1 : Gymnothorax
undulatus (Undulated Moray)
in shallow, coral reef flats at
Bora Bora, French
Polynesia. This common nocturnal species ranges from East
Africa, across the Indian Ocean, through Southeast Asia to the Pacific Ocean. It reaches
up to 1.5 metres in length.
Figs 2 and 3 : Estuarine Moray (or Indian Mud Moray)
Gymnothorax tile from intertidal, estuarine
mudflats at Parit Jawa,
Straits of Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia. This is mainly a
brackish species, but it may also venture into the lower reaches of
freshwater rivers. It ranges across much of Southeast Asia, and may grow to
60 cm in length.
References :
Smith, D.G., McCosker, J. & Tighe, K. 2019. Gymnothorax tile. The
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T195802A241965.
Smith, D.G., Tighe, K. & McCosker, J. (2019).
Gymnothorax undulatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019:
e.T195803A2419811.
Links :
Fishbase - Muraenidae
Wikipedia - Moray Eels
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