Gymnothorax javanicus
Giant Moray
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Anguilliformes
Family
Muraenidae
Genus
Gymnothorax
Species
Gymnothorax javanicus
Colours
Distinguishing features
A large dark-brown eel with irregular black splotches over the body. Usually seen with just the head protruding from a cave or crevice.
Size
- Up to 200 cm (Standard length)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Areas of rich coral growth with holes and caves for shelter.
Can be found in most locations around the island.
Behaviour
Active nocturnally and at dawn and dusk. Feeds on sleeping fishes at night and hunts by smell. Occasionally seen moving over reef flats just on dark.
Web resources
Danger
- unspecified - The moray eels are aggressive and pugnacious if divers come too close to their daytime resting places, and may bite if provoked. They have large, sharp, backward pointing teeth and can cause serious lacerations. Keep a good distance from morays and be cautious when snorkelling or diving near caves or holes where morays may be hiding. The flesh of Moray Eels is well known to cause ciguatera poisoning, and these fish should never be eaten. First Aid - click here
References
References that assist with identification
- Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene (1990). Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Other references
- Bohlke, E.B. and J.E. McCosker (2001). The moray eels of Australia and New Zealand, with the description of two new species (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae), Records of the Australian Museum, 53: 71-102. LIRS catalog number 90074.
- Bshary, R., A. Hohner, K. Ait-el-Djoudi and H. Fricke (2006). Interspecific communicative and coordinated hunting between groupers and giant moray eels in the Red Sea, PLoS Biol, 4: e431. LIRS catalog number 90073.
- View all references