Description

Also known as Bar-cheeked Eel, Black-specked Reef Eel, Giant Moray, Ocellate Moray, Painted Moray, Painted Reef Eel, Paint-spotted Moray, Peppered Eel, Sidereal Moray, Speckled Sidereal Moray.

Found singly, in crevices of debris, rocks, and rubble, over reef flats, and shorelines.
They feed on crustaceans and fish.
Length - 140cm
Depth - 0-100m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Morays open and close their mouths to move water through their gills for respiration.
This behaviour can often be seen as a threat especially towards divers, in fact this is far from the truth, they are very shy creatures and will only attack if provoked! Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-pictus