How to Identify Green Moray Eel

To identify Green Moray Eel (Gymnothorax funebris), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

eel-like

Coloration

Skin is dark brown to grayish, covered by a thick, yellowish-green mucus layer, giving the eel its characteristic green appearance. The inside of the mouth is typically white.

Scale type

none

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Large, robust body, Prominent, sharp teeth, Absence of pectoral and pelvic fins, Continuous dorsal, caudal, and anal fins, Small, circular gill openings

Dorsal fin

Long, continuous, originating just behind the head and merging with the caudal and anal fins.

Tail fin

Rounded, confluent with dorsal and anal fins.

Pectoral fin

Absent

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are also absent. The continuous fin structure is characteristic of moray eels.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Coloration

   Look for the distinctive greenish-yellow hue, which is due to a mucus layer over dark skin. This is a key identifier.

2. 2

   Size

   Green Morays are among the largest moray eels in the Atlantic, commonly reaching lengths of 1.5 to 2.5 meters (5 to 8 feet) and weights up to 30 kg (66 lbs). The largest recorded specimen was 2.59 meters (8.5 feet) long.

3. 3

   Body Shape

   Their robust, muscular, and elongated body, lacking pectoral and pelvic fins, is typical of moray eels.

4. 4

   Mouth and Teeth

   When observed, their large mouth with numerous sharp, conical teeth is a clear indicator of a predatory moray. The inside of the mouth is often white.

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