# green moray (*Gymnothorax funebris*) The green moray is a long, snake-like fish that lives in warm ocean waters. It has a bright green color and hides in crevices among the coral reefs, making it a fascinating creature to discover! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![green moray](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/GreenMorayEel.JPG&width=800) Photo: Blueag9, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GreenMorayEel.JPG) ## Appearance The green moray has a thick, snake-like body, often appearing brilliant green due to a yellow mucus coating over its dark skin. It lacks pectoral and pelvic fins, making its smooth, elongated form distinct among reef fish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Anguilliformes - **Family:** Muraenidae - **Genus:** Gymnothorax ## Interesting facts - Cleaner shrimp often bravely crawl into a moray's mouth to remove parasites, without being eaten! - Moray eels have a special gooey slime that covers their skin, protecting them from germs and scratches! - They often open their mouth wide not to attack, but to breathe, pumping water over gills! - This "green" eel is actually dark gray underneath, its color comes from a yellow mucus! ## Special abilities - **Sticky Slime Armor:** The green moray has a thick, protective slime coat that helps it glide into tight spaces and deters predators. - **Double Jaw Attack:** The green moray can use a second set of jaws to pull prey deep into its throat for quick swallowing. - **Super Sniffer:** The green moray has an excellent sense of smell that helps it find hidden prey in dark reef crevices. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 150-250 cm - **Weight:** 10-30 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Swim Speed:** 15 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 50 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding A nocturnal ambush predator, it hunts fish, crustaceans, and octopuses hiding in coral reefs. - **Primary Foods:** reef fish, crabs, shrimp, octopus - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common octopus (*Octopus vulgaris*) — Main prey for morays. - **Hunts:** White grunt (*Haemulon plumierii*) — Common reef fish prey. - **Eaten by:** [Bull shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bull-shark) (*Carcharhinus leucas*) — Large sharks prey on morays. - **Symbiotic with:** Skunk cleaner shrimp (*Lysmata amboinensis*) — Removes parasites from moray. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always stay at a safe distance from fish in the ocean and never touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify green moray? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is green moray? 150-250 cm ### How much does green moray weigh? 10-30 kg ### How long does green moray live? 10-15 years ### What does green moray eat? A nocturnal ambush predator, it hunts fish, crustaceans, and octopuses hiding in coral reefs. ### How fast can green moray swim? 15 km/h ### Where is green moray usually found? Coastal areas ### How does green moray hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Miami Beach Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/miami-beach-botanical-garden) — US · Botanical Garden - [Key West Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Oklahoma Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oklahoma-aquarium) — Oklahoma, US · Zoo - [South Carolina Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-carolina-aquarium) — US · Aquarium - [Texas State Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/texas-state-aquarium) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Collins Waterfront Architectural District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/collins-waterfront-architectural-district) — Florida, US · Historic District [View all places to see green moray](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/green-moray) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Green Moray: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-moray)