Morays
Morays are primarily night stalkers that ambush a variety of small fish and crustaceans. Frequently, in the late afternoon and at night the powerful hunter/scavengers swim free from the reef to forage for dinner. By day, most species remain hidden completely from view or with only their heads protruding from crevices. To the uninitiated reef explorer, the first sighting of a swaying serpent-head, continually opening and closing teeth-filled jaws, quickly brings into question their dive instructor's assurance that morays rarely harm divers. Once again, the instructor is right. The menacing mouth continually opens and closes to draw in water necessary for respiration, not to threaten. The beady eyes, following your every movement, are more in line with Mr. McGoo squinting at a passing parade, rather than a cagey monster poised for attack. The few bitings that do occur are accidents associated with fish feeding activities.
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Green Moray
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Green Moray
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Of the fifteen moray species that inhabit the waters of the western Atlantic seven are more or less regularly sighted by divers. Green Morays, by far the largest species, and one of the most frequently seen, grow to eight feet in length; five and six-foot specimens are not uncommon. These stocky creatures vary from green to brown and display no markings.
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Spotted Moray
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Spotted Moray
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Spotted Morays, true to their name, exhibit a covering of dark spots and blotches over the entire body. This, slender two to four-foot species swims out of the reef more often than other family members. Frequently, when in this free swimming mode, small sea bass, such as Graysbys and Coneys, shadow the morays' movements. It is believed that the interlopers are out for an easy meal of small fish scared from the reef's confines by the foraging hunter. Occasionally, a sea bass lies next to the eel's head and quivers in an unusual manner for seconds at a time. Often a second bass exchanges places with the first and repeats this unexplained behavior. The morays seem to be unbothered by the attention and have never been observed striking at the fish.
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Purplemouth Moray
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Purplemouth Moray
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The Purplemouth Moray grows to four feet but averages around two to three feet in length. A mottling of brown over a yellowish undercolor runs the entire length of their medium-weight bodies. Bright golden eyes and purplish mouth linings easily distinguish Purplemouths from other species.
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Goldentail Moray
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Goldentail Moray
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Most Goldentail Morays have golden tails, but unfortunately divers generally see only an exposed head. Identifications of the one to two-foot fish can be made by observing a fine scattering of tiny golden specks over a brownish undercolor. In rare cases the brown and gold blend to appear as a solid shade or even reverse patterns with a gold background covered by dark specks.
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Chain Moray
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Chain Moray
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Chain Morays inhabit shallow inshore reefs and rocky coastlines. Their golden chainlike patterns camouflage their movements as they slither through sun drenched tide pools in search of crabs, their favorite food. Often, a receding surf leaves the hunter momentarily stranded out of water between waves.
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Viper Moray
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Chestnut Moray
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Viper Moray
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Chestnut Moray
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The last two similar appearing species are less commonly observed. Both the Viper Moray and Chestnut Moray can be distinguished by arching jaws that exhibit a nasty looking set of teeth even when their mouths remain shut. Vipers reach a length of slightly over two feet. Their stocky bodies vary from dark brown to maroon and occasionally display a light mottled pattern. However, their menacing mouths easily set them apart from other species. Chestnuts, that reach only a foot in length, also have arching mouths. These small, slender eels can be differentiated from Vipers by a series of white spots that ring tiny pores lining each jaw.
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Snake Eel
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Snake Eels, from the family Ophichthidae, are frequently misidentified as morays. These elongated fish can be quickly recognized by their pointed tails, used to burrow under the sand, and a virtual lack of fins. Varying spot patterns on their slender bodies visually identify snake eels to species. Poisonous sea snakes from the tropical Pacific are true snakes, however, that use flattened tails to periodically swim to the surface for air. Even though, these graceful, nonagressive reptiles pack potentially lethal doses of venom there has never been a fatality among the thousands of recreational divers that share their underwater domains each year. Once again mother nature's message from the sea is clear, unless molested, marine life poses little or no threat to human visitors. Morays, snake eels, and sea snakes are beguiling creatures that add their own touch of magic to the marine world.
© 1999 New World Publications. All rights reserved.
