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Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae

Fine-spotted moray

Echidna delicatula
Family: Muraenidae

The Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite

Description

The Fine-spotted moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 65 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The light-brown body is densely scattered with fine dark spots. Unlike many morays it has blunt, pebble-like teeth for crushing shellfish. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices by day and hunts crabs and shrimp at night. It can bite when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fine-spotted moray?

The Fine-spotted moray has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Fine-spotted moray live?

The Fine-spotted moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Fine-spotted moray get?

The Fine-spotted moray grows to a maximum of about 65 cm.

Is the Fine-spotted moray dangerous to humans?

The Fine-spotted moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Fijngevlekte murene sourced
English name
Fine-spotted moray sourced
Scientific name
Echidna delicatula
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Mottled moray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Echidna

More from the family Muraenidae

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