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Range:
Wide spread in the western Atlantic, from Bermuda, the Bahamas,
off the Carolinas, Florida, throughout the Caribbean
Islands, off coastal Mexico and central and northern
South America. Gymnothorax
moringa is abundantin shallow rocky and grassy areas and on coral
reefs. As a benthic species, it spends most of the time
near the ocean floor. The Spotted Moray Eel is most
often seen with its head protruding from a hole with the
rest of its body concealed
Similar Species: Juvenile
Gymnothorax moringa, which lack the traditional
spotted pattern of the adults and exhibit a white lower
jaw, closely resembling juvenile Purplemouth Moray Eel, Gymnothorax
vicinus.
Identification: The head, body, and tail of Gymnothorax moringa exhibit
a pattern of small, overlapping, dark brown to
purplish black spots giving it a mottled appearance on
a pale yellow background. The overall pattern may vary
in blotch size and color intensity. This species
reaches a maximum length of 100cm (39.37 inches).
Note:
Gymnothorax moringa constantly opens and closes
its mouth as a means of respiring, and although this
action may look aggressive, it is not a threat.
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