Stout Moray Eel

The Stout Moray Eel, also known as Abbott’s Moray and Salt and Pepper Moray, is a small to medium-sized eel found across the Indo-Pacific, including Australian waters. Recognized for its distinctive coloration and secretive nature, this nocturnal predator thrives in shallow coastal reefs, where it remains hidden during the day and hunts at night. Though often elusive, it plays a vital role in reef ecosystems.

Identification

The Stout Moray Eel is a medium-sized eel that can reach up to 60 cm in length. It has a distinctive appearance, characterized by a brownish body covered in irregular yellow to white spots, which may sometimes be accompanied by smaller black spots. The eel’s coloration becomes darker toward the tail, which is bordered by a white margin.

Its head is often seen protruding from a crevice with the mouth open, displaying its sharp, white teeth. The Stout Moray’s body patterns can vary, but it commonly shows a reticulated appearance due to the mix of pale and dark markings.

Distribution and Conservation

The Stout Moray Eel is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, with an antitropical range. In Australia, it can be found along the central coast of Western Australia, around the northern tropical regions, and extending south to northern New South Wales. Beyond Australia, its range includes regions such as Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and numerous Indo-Pacific coastal reefs.

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12/22/2024 05:29 am GMT

It typically inhabits shallow inshore reefs, often residing in crevices or under ledges. While the species is common in its range, it holds no significant interest to fisheries and is not currently considered threatened, though detailed conservation assessments are limited. Its nocturnal behavior and preference for hiding during the day make it less frequently encountered by divers and researchers.

Behaviour and Character

The Stout Moray Eel is a nocturnal predator known for its voracious appetite, primarily feeding on reef fishes. During the day, it remains hidden in crevices, caves, or under ledges, with only its head and sharp teeth visible, a typical behavior of morays to stay concealed from both predators and prey. At night, it becomes highly active, hunting by ambush, relying on its keen sense of smell rather than eyesight to locate prey in the dark waters.

Though often solitary, the Stout Moray may share reef habitats with other morays, coexisting in overlapping territories. Despite their fearsome appearance, these eels are generally not aggressive unless provoked, and their open-mouth posture is often misunderstood as a threat when it is actually a method of breathing.

From Reefranger

I have only encountered a Stout Moray once thus far, at Fish Rock in New South Wales. It seemed to sharing a hiding place with an another moray, which was the more common Green Moray Eel. Looking forward to seeing more, they are beautiful creatures!