Common name: White-jawed moray eel

Scientific name: Gymnothorax moringa (Cuvier, 1829)

General information

The Spotted Moray, Gymnothorax moringa, is a species of moray eel found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its distinctive dark brown to greenish body covered with small, irregularly shaped yellow spots, which provide excellent camouflage among the reefs and rocky substrates it inhabits.

Moray eels have an elongated, snake-like body and a peculiar way of breathing that involves opening and closing their mouths to pump water over their gills. This behavior can be mistaken for aggression, but it's simply their way of respiration.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
300 liter (79 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
75 cm (2′6″)
Care level
Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live or frozen food.
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
Reefsafe
No May eat small fish/inverts.
Aggression
Semi aggresive Can be aggressive to tankmates.
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Eels
    Anguilliformes
  5. Family
    Moray Eels
    Muraenidae
  6. Genus
    Moray Eels
    Gymnothorax
  7. Species
    White-jawed moray eel
    Gymnothorax moringa (Cuvier, 1829)
  8. Synonyms
    Gymnothorax albimentis (Evermann & Marsh, 1900)
    Gymnothorax concolor (Abbott, 1860)
    Gymnothorax flavoscriptus Poey, 1876
    Gymnothorax moringua (Cuvier, 1829)
    Gymnothorax picturatus Poey, 1880
    Gymnothorax rostratus Agassiz, 1831
    Lycodontis albimentis Evermann & Marsh, 1900
    Lycodontis moringa (Cuvier, 1829)
    Muraena moringa Cuvier, 1829
    Muraena punctata Gronow, 1854
    Murenophis caramuru Castelnau, 1855
    Murenophis curvilineata Castelnau, 1855
    Sidera flavoscripta (Poey, 1876)
    Sidera moringa (Cuvier, 1829)
    Thyrsoidea concolor Abbott, 1860

Care

Spotted Morays can grow to a considerable size, often reaching lengths of up to 4 feet in captivity. They require a large tank with a tight-fitting lid to prevent escape. The aquarium should have plenty of rockwork and crevices for hiding, as they are nocturnal and prefer to stay hidden during the day.

These eels are carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. Care should be taken when feeding, as moray eels have sharp teeth and a powerful bite.

Reproduction

In the wild, Spotted Morays reproduce through external fertilization, where females release eggs and males release sperm into the water column simultaneously. Breeding in captivity is rare and not well documented.

Habitat

Spotted Morays are commonly found in coral reefs, rocky areas, and seagrass beds at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 200 feet. They are solitary creatures and establish territories that they defend from other eels.

Their range extends from North Carolina in the United States, through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, to the northern coast of South America.