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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
0–30 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Range
Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

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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. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

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. Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

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. Do not feed or reach into crevices. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Moray bites are prone to infection: have them assessed medically and check tetanus status.

More photos

Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Jean-Marie Gradot (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fine-spotted moray (Echidna delicatula) — Muraenidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan / Alvin Seale (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Fine-spotted moray sourced
Scientific name
Echidna delicatula
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Mottled moray; Fine-speckled moray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
30 verified
Natural range
Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified
First aid
Do not feed or reach into crevices. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, apply firm pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Moray bites are prone to infection: have them assessed medically and check tetanus status. sourced

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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