Gray moray eel
| Gray moray eel | ||||||||||||
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Gray moray eel ( Gymnothorax griseus ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Gymnothorax griseus | ||||||||||||
| La Cépède , 1803 |
The gray moray eel ( Gymnothorax griseus ), also known as the spotted moray eel , is a predatory fish from the genus Gymnothorax from the moray eel family (Muraenidae).
Outward appearance
The animals reach a length of 65 cm , which makes them a medium-sized species of moray. The body is light gray with yellowish spots. On the darker head, black dots form a distinctive line pattern. As with all moray eels, the body itself is eel-like.
distribution and habitat
Gray moray eels live in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean . However, they are far more common in the Red Sea. They live in the caves and crevices of the coral reefs and prefer the reef slope here. The animals live in water depths between one and 40 m . They can also be found in coastal waters and in lagoons .
nutrition
These predatory fish feed on fish and other small marine life such as worms and shrimp . They hunt in the night.
Reproduction
Gray moray eels are real hermaphrodites and have both male and female sexual organs at the same time . The young often live in groups in a hiding place between the corals.
Behavior towards people
Gray morays are not aggressive towards humans and tend to be shy. The regular opening and closing of the mouth, which often has a threatening effect on divers and snorkelers, is used for breathing and is not a threatening gesture. However, if the animals are harassed or provoked, they can inflict very painful bites. These bite wounds are prone to infection and tend to heal poorly.
literature
- Alberto Siliotti: The fish of the Red Sea . Geodia Verlag, Verona 2002, ISBN 88-87177-43-0 .
Web links
- Gray moray at Fishbase.org (English)
- Page with various photos