moray
Elongated reef predator
A moray is a large eel found in warm seas, typically lurking in crevices and reef holes with its mouth agape to reveal sharp teeth.
Morays are generally not aggressive but can deliver serious bites when provoked.
The name applies to any of about 200 species in the family Muraenidae: We spotted a green moray while diving the reef. (Capitalized Moray is a region in Scotland.)
Elongated scaleless fish
- jawBone holding teeth
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
- fangsSharp piercing teeth
- pharyngealOf the throat cavity
gape · mucus · slime · scaleless · gills · snout · nostrils · elongate
Underwater rock or coral formation
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- creviceNarrow opening in surface
- caveUnderground hollow in rock
- denPrivate room or lair
burrow · ledge · rocky · tropical · Indo-Pacific · Caribbean · Mediterranean · lagoon
Surprise strike from concealment
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- bitePierce with teeth
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- lungeSudden forward movement
nocturnal · prey · fish · octopus · crustacean · carnivore · lurk · attack
Unexpected meeting or confrontation
- sightingInstance of perceiving something
- spottedSeen or patterned
- wrasseThick-lipped marine fish
- shrimpSmall edible crustacean
symbiosis · underwater · photographer · diver · snorkeling · aquarium · observation · gaping
eel
Elongated scaleless fish
pharyngeal · gape · mucus · slime · scaleless · gills · snout · nostrils · elongate · serpentine
reef
Underwater rock or coral formation
den · burrow · ledge · rocky · tropical · Indo-Pacific · Caribbean · Mediterranean · lagoon · ocean
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
lunge · nocturnal · prey · fish · octopus · crustacean · carnivore · lurk · attack · stealth
encounter
Unexpected meeting or confrontation
shrimp · symbiosis · underwater · photographer · diver · snorkeling · aquarium · observation · gaping · defensive
- sea lifeshark, whale, dolphin, salmon, jellyfish
- eel-shapedeel, electric eel, garden eel, glass eel, conger
morayclownfish
Striped reef fish, anemone symbiont
seahorse · sea turtle · dolphin · parrotfish · angelfish
- moray eelsSerpentine marine fish