Green Moray Eel Gymnothorax funebris
is one of the largest morays, with a maximum recorded size of 8 feet (2.4 m) and 65 pounds (29.5 kg).
Morays have sometimes been described as vicious or ill-tempered. In fact, morays are shy and secretive, and they only attack humans in self-defense. Morays hide from humans and would rather flee than fight. They accidentally bite human fingers when being fed, because it cannot see or hear very well, although they have an acute sense of smell.
Morays, however, do inflict a nasty bite, because, although not poisonous, their backward-pointing teeth are covered with bacteria which may infect the wound. Green morays are sedentary or sit-and-wait predators with strong teeth. Rather than hunting for food, they wait until food comes to them.
Morays rest in crevices during the day and are nocturnal predators, and although they may ensnare small fish and crustaceans that pass near them during the day, they come out at night, mostly.
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.
This guy lives in the Hol Chan Channel and is quite accustom to visitors. The small creature lower left is a Red Banded Shrimp giving a cleaning service to the Moray in return for lunch. Symbiotic relationships abound under the seas surface.
As the old song says, “That’s a moray!”