This is the largest of the morays, reported to reach as long as 3m in some areas. Those at Kwajalein are usually shorter, but they are common on the seaward, lagoon and pinnacle reefs, often with their heads protruding from holes in the reef. Adults are large and brown (often appearing green underwater), and young individuals tend to have more distinct black spotting behind the eyes. These primarily eat fish, and surprisingly, are sometimes prey as well. On one occasional, we witnessed a gray reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) grab one of these large morays and rip it out of the reef, swimming off while biting it into chunks and swallowing it.
A younger individual, coming out of its hole far enough to a characteristic black spot on the side below the front of the dorsal fin.
This one had a tumor growing on its lower lip.
We are not sure what the circular marks are above the mouth on the specimen below. Got in a fight with an octopus perhaps?
Created 4 July 2017