morays
Snaky reef dwellers
Morays are eels of the family Muraenidae, found in warm seas worldwide.
They have long, scaleless bodies, sharp teeth, and typically live in rocky crevices and coral reefs.
Unlike most fish, morays lack pectoral fins and breathe by constantly opening and closing their mouths—a habit that makes them look more threatening than they usually are.
Interspecies biological interdependence
- grouperLarge predatory reef fish
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
- fishGilled aquatic vertebrate
crustacean · octopus · cephalopod · scavenger · carnivore · biodiversity
Underwater rock or coral formation
- creviceNarrow opening in surface
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- caveUnderground hollow in rock
- rockyCovered with stones
burrow · den · ledge · hole · shelter · hideout · tropical · subtropical
Curving in repeated bends
- elongateTo make longer
- eel-likeElongated and sinuous
- mucousSlime-producing, bodily
- skinBody's outer layer
teeth · jawbone · gape · fang · scaleless · muscular · flexible
Surprise strike from concealment
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- lurkingConcealed and watchful
- strikingNoticeably impressive
hunting · knotting · aggressive · shy · reclusive · solitary · gulping · retreat
Portable underwater breathing gear
- snorkelingSurface swimming with breathing tube
- encounterUnexpected meeting or confrontation
- sightingInstance of perceiving something
- underwaterBelow the surface
photography · aquarium · respect · observation · caution
symbiosis
Interspecies biological interdependence
fish · crustacean · octopus · cephalopod · scavenger · carnivore · biodiversity
reef
Underwater rock or coral formation
rocky · burrow · den · ledge · hole · shelter · hideout · tropical · subtropical · Indo-Pacific
serpentine
Curving in repeated bends
skin · teeth · jawbone · gape · fang · scaleless · muscular · flexible
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- lurkingConcealed and watchful
striking · hunting · knotting · aggressive · shy · reclusive · solitary · gulping · retreat · defensive
scuba
Portable underwater breathing gear
- snorkelingSurface swimming with breathing tube
- encounterUnexpected meeting or confrontation
- sightingInstance of perceiving something
underwater · photography · aquarium · respect · observation · caution
moraysclownfish
Striped reef fish, anemone symbiont
sea turtles · dolphins · parrotfish · manatees · seahorses
- moray eelsSerpentine marine fish