{"id":5204,"date":"2012-08-17T04:05:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-17T01:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fishconsult.org\/?p=5204"},"modified":"2012-08-17T11:38:36","modified_gmt":"2012-08-17T08:38:36","slug":"moray-eels-introduction-characteristics-distribution-and-feeding-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishconsult.org\/?p=5204","title":{"rendered":"Moray eels (Introduction, characteristics, distribution and feeding) – Video"},"content":{"rendered":"

This video was taken in Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA during June, 2012<\/p>\n

Introduction:<\/strong> Moray eels\u00a0belong to about 15 genera and about 200 species in the\u00a0family\u00a0Muraenidae. With few exceptions, the moray eels are almost exclusively\u00a0marine. The size of moray eels vary significantly according to species whereas the smallest eels would measure about 12-20 cm as maximum compared to 3-4 m length for the largest (giant) eels. There is a commercial fishery for several species, but some cause\u00a0ciguatera fish poisoning. Depending on species, morays may live between 6 and 36 years depending in natural systems.<\/p>\n

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Characteristics:<\/strong> Moral eels have a dorsal fin while pectoral and pelvic fins are absent. The head of the moray eel is large with small eyes as rely on their highly developed sense of smell which makes up for their poor eyesight. They have a wide mouth with large teeth that are designed for tearing flesh or grasping slippery prey. Moray eels are the only known animal to use pharyngeal jaws to capture and restrain prey. In regard to colors, moray eels show variety of colorations depending on species.<\/p>\n

Distribution and Habitats:<\/strong> Moray eels are found worldwide in tropical and temperate seas, particularly among reefs and rocks in warm oceans. They live at depths of up to several hundred meters, where they spend most of their time concealed inside crevices and alcoves. While several species regularly are found in\u00a0brackish water, very few species can be found in freshwater.<\/p>\n

Feeding habits:<\/strong> Morays are\u00a0carnivores\u00a0and feed primarily on other fish,\u00a0cephalopods,\u00a0molluscs, and crustaceans.\u00a0They rely on their excellent sense of smell in their hunting which takes place at night. They may also hide in their crevices waiting until their prey is close enough, and then they launch themselves from the burrow and clasp the prey with their powerful jaws.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

References:<\/strong> Wikipedia, Dive the World, Natural Geographic News<\/p>\n

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