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Saddled moray (Gymnothorax conspersus) — Muraenidae

Saddled moray

Gymnothorax conspersus
Family: Muraenidae

The Saddled moray (Gymnothorax conspersus) is a saltwater fish of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 110 cm.

Length
110 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
100.0–310.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Saddled moray is a moray (Muraenidae) from the Atlantic Ocean. The species grows to about 110 cm and has a robust, snake-shaped, scaleless body. The brown body bears faint dark saddle blotches. As a secretive reef predator it hides in crevices of coral and rocky reefs by day and seizes fish, crustaceans and squid at night. It bites fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Saddled moray?

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

Where does the Saddled moray live?

The Saddled moray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Saddled moray get?

The Saddled moray grows to a maximum of about 110 cm.

Is the Saddled moray dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Saddled moray edible?

Yes, the Saddled moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zadel-murene sourced
English name
Saddled moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax conspersus
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Saddled moray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
100.0 verified
Max depth (m)
310.0 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Gymnothorax

More from the family Muraenidae

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