Undulated Moray (Gymnothorax undulatus)

Also known as Common Hawaiian Moray, Common Moray Eel, Leopard Moray, Mottled Moray, Mottled Reef Eel, Undulate Moray, Undulated Moray Eel

Description

Also known as Common Hawaiian Moray, Common Moray Eel, Leopard Moray, Mottled Moray, Mottled Reef Eel, Undulate Moray, Undulated Moray Eel.

Found singly, pairs, or with other morays, (as in the picture with the Yellow-margin Moray) hiding in crevices and holes, amongst debris, rock, and rubble, over lagoons and seaward reefs.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans, fish and octopus.
Can "take a fancy to divers" if they are not careful.
Took a fancy to me when I was trying to photograph a Goby! I was hanging on to a rock when he sank his teeth into my thumb to get me to move no - I did!! Luckily he was only a baby-- Now I know why all the "Italians and Japanese wear gloves"!
Length - 150cm
Depth - 1-110m
Widespread Eastern Central Pacific, 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/4905

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