Ray-finned Fishes of Zihuatanejo

CLASS ACTINOPTERYGII

-Tarpons, Eels, and Allies (Superorder Elopomorpha)

-True Eels (Order Anguilliformes)

-Morays (Family Muraenidae)

-Typical Morays (Subfamily Muraeninae)

-Genus Muraena

-Jewel Moray (Muraena lentiginosa)

Light brown mottled body, with dark-edged yellow spots over head and body. Shelters in rocky crevices during the day coming out at night to hunt for food. The Jewel moray is a ornate moray eel found in the gulf of California, and eastern pacific through Central America.

Diet

A nocturnal carnivore that feeds mainly on small fishes and crustaceans, including shrimps and crabs. It remains concealed during the day and forages around the reef at night.

Range

The Jewel Moray is endemic to the tropical eastern Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of California and Baja California Sur southward to northern Peru. It occurs along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

It is a reef-associated, bottom-dwelling moray found among rocky reefs, crevices and other sheltered structures. It commonly occurs in shallow water from about 5–25 m, although records extend from the intertidal zone to approximately 27 m.

Description

The Jewel Moray is an elongated eel reaching about 61 cm, with a strongly compressed head and jaws and a tapering body. The jaws are narrow and armed with sharp, slightly hooked teeth. Both pairs of nostrils are tubular, and the dorsal fin begins just behind the head. Colouration is variable but typically dark purplish brown or brown with numerous small, yellow, circular spots edged in darker pigment. Some individuals are much paler, with darker brown mottling. The gill opening appears as a small slit within an inconspicuous dark area on the side.