Description

Also known as Black-blotched Moray, Black-blotched Moray Eel, Black Spotted Moray, Black Spotted Moray Eel, Coral Eel, Giraffe Eel, Honeycomb Moray, Honeycomb Moray Eel, Laced Moray Eel, Lacy Moray, Lacy Moray Eel, Leopard Moray, Reticulated Moray, Tessellate Moray Eel, Tessellated Eel, Tessellated Moray Eel, Tessellated Reef Eel.

Found singly or in pairs, hiding in crevices and holes, amongst debris, rock, and rubble, over reef flats, continental reef slopes, and outer reef slopes. Geographical colour variation, pattern continues inside the mouth.
They feed nocturnally on small fish and octopus.
Can "take a fancy to divers" if they are not careful.
Length - 300cm
Depth - 1-45m
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.org/summary/5391