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Mosaic moray (Enchelycore lichenosa) — Muraenidae

Mosaic moray

Enchelycore lichenosa
Family: Muraenidae

The Mosaic moray (Enchelycore lichenosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 90 cm.

Length
90 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–24.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite

Description

The mosaic moray is a moray eel (Muraenidae) from reef water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has an elongate, muscular, scaleless, eel-like body with a striking mosaic-like pattern of yellow and brown markings and curved jaws with long, fang-like teeth. As a nocturnal ambush predator it shelters by day in crevices and hunts fish and crustaceans by night. When disturbed or handled it can give a deep, tearing bite; keep hands out of crevices.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mosaic moray?

The Mosaic moray has a snake-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Mosaic moray live?

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

How big does the Mosaic moray get?

The Mosaic moray grows to a maximum of about 90 cm.

Is the Mosaic moray dangerous to humans?

The Mosaic moray can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mozaiek-murene sourced
English name
Mosaic moray sourced
Scientific name
Enchelycore lichenosa
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Reticulate hookjaw moray sourced

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
90.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
24.0 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 Enchelycore

More from the family Muraenidae

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