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Freshwater moray (Gymnothorax polyuranodon) — Muraenidae

Freshwater moray

Gymnothorax polyuranodon
Family: Muraenidae

The Freshwater moray (Gymnothorax polyuranodon) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Muraenidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The freshwater moray is an unusual moray (Muraenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific that ascends far into fresh and brackish river water. The species grows to about 1.5 metres and has an elongate, snake-shaped, yellow-and-black spotted, scaleless body. As a nocturnal predator it hides by day among stones and roots and seizes fish and crustaceans at night. It bites fiercely when disturbed; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater moray?

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

Where does the Freshwater moray live?

The Freshwater moray lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Freshwater moray get?

The Freshwater moray grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.

Is the Freshwater moray dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Freshwater moray edible?

Yes, the Freshwater moray is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zoetwater-murene sourced
English name
Freshwater moray sourced
Scientific name
Gymnothorax polyuranodon
Family
Muraenidae
Other names
Freshwater moray; Manytoothed moray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 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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