Green Moray Eel

Gymnothorax funebris

Species Information
Exhibit Name and Location Atlantic Coral Reef - Descending
Description of Animal The green moray is really brown! The yellow tint of the mucus that covers its body, in combination with the drab background color, gives the fish its characteristic uniform green color. The moray’s muscular, scaleless body is laterally compressed (flattened side to side). The dorsal and anal fins are continuous with the short tail, or caudal fin, giving the appearance of a single fin running from the top of the head, along the back, around the tail, and underneath forward to mid-body. It has neither pelvic nor pectoral fins. The green moray has conspicuous, tube-like nostrils and finds its prey mostly using its sense of smell.
Aquarist's Note As the old song says, “That’s a moray!” With long, scaleless bodies, they are often feared and mistaken for sea serpents. Green morays are sedentary or sit-and-wait predators with strong teeth. Rather than hunting for food, they wait until food comes to them. Their bite, contrary to popular belief, is not poisonous, but may cause infection. Part of their vicious reputation may come from the fact that they habitually open and close their mouths. Although this behavior may appear threatening, they are actually taking in water to breathe. The water passes over the gills and exits through vent-like openings at the back of the head.
Diet The green moray feeds mostly at night on fishes, crabs, shrimp, octopuses, and squid.
Size This species is one of the largest morays, with a maximum recorded size of 8 feet (2.4 m) and 65 pounds (29.5 kg).
Range The green moray is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey to Bermuda and the northern Gulf of Mexico southward to Brazil. This solitary animal hides among mangrove roots, along rocky shorelines, and within coral reefs.
Population Status The green moray is common throughout much of its range.
Predators Large green morays likely have few natural predators. They are popular with SCUBA divers and are collected for the pet trade and commercial aquariums.