Overview
Very aggressive nocturnal predator, lives in deep crevices and reefs.
Identification
Flattened head with tubular nostrilsSharp and pointed teethAbsence of scalesContinuous dorsal finRobust snoutSlippery skinProminent mouthSmall eyes
- Body
- The body is elongated and snake-like, similar to that of an eel.
- Colouration
- The coloring is mainly brown with irregular yellow spots of varying intensity.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not noticeable
- Growth
- Medium; it grows steadily over its lifetime.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Order
- Anguilliformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Gymnothorax unicolorMuraena augustiGymnothorax ocellatusMuraenidae undulatusEnchelycore anatina
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs, deep_sea
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea and along the Atlantic coasts from Europe to North Africa.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among rock crevices during the day, venturing out to hunt at night.
Prefers rocky areas for the ample availability of natural shelters.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Mar Rosso NordPeak
Af Mar Rosso CentroPeak
Af Indiano EstPeak
Na Costa Est SudPeak
Na Golfo MessicoPeak
Na CaraibiPeak
As Mar Cinese SudPeak
Au Gbr NordPeak
Au Gbr CentroPeak
Oc FijiPeak
Oc MicronesiaPeak
Oc PapuaPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- octopuses, sea urchins, crustaceans
- Secondary prey
- small fish, marine invertebrates, carruggi
- Occasional prey
- small squids, crabs, shrimps
- Feeding behaviour
- The moray eel is an opportunistic predator, hunting at night with quick, lethal strikes.
- Natural predators
- large sharks, groupers, other large predatory fish
Prefers to hunt inactive or hidden prey during the night when visibility is low.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- high
- Migration
- Non-migratory
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active in summer due to warmer temperatures that enhance its metabolic activity.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to hide in rock crevices to avoid predators.
- Adults
- Adults are usually territorial and stay close to their usual shelter.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July, August
- Spawning depth
- Between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, transparent and buoyant, very numerous.
- Larval stage
- Transparent larvae similar to eel larvae, called leptocephali.
- Sexual maturity
- Varies between 4 and 6 years
When to catch Mediterranean moray
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Day—
Nightnotte, tarda sera
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active and aggressive.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays hidden in crevices.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
13°COptimal zone: 17-26°C29°C
Preferred tide: high
Where to catch it
Best spots
rocky shoresrocky crevicescoral reefsunderwater caves
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
spearfishingheavy-duty rodshandlinediving
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoBolentino NotturnoPesca A Fondo NotturnaRock FishingRock Fishing Notturno
Recommended baits
dead fishsquidoctopusfish fillets
Baits by pressure
Low
Calamaro interoFiletto di pescePezzo di pesce
Medium
Calamaro interoFiletto di pescePezzo di pescePolpo mortoStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sgombroGambero morto / Gambero
High
ArenicolaEsca naturale (generica)
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights hard when hooked, tends to coil around rocks.
- Handling
- Use thick gloves to avoid cuts from sharp teeth.
- Release
- Avoid injury, handle with care, and release as close to its natural habitat as possible.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- Moray eels can reach a length of 1.5 meters and weigh up to 15 kg. A popular species in sport fishing along the rocky coasts of the Mediterranean, presenting a challenge to anglers with its strength and aggressive behavior.
- In the kitchen
- Moray eels are cooked in soups or baked in Mediterranean countries.
- Cultural notes
- In ancient Roman culture, moray eels were considered a delicacy and were often kept in special pools.
- Historical notes
- Often raised in Roman and Greek eras to test the technical abilities of aquaculture for food purposes.
