MORAY EELS
MURAENIDAE
Chained Moray Eel
Echidna catenata
    Ecological Descriptors
Habitat Size (cm) Diet Behaviour Sex 
Be, Co, R 45 Cru (Pisc) I F
 
 
Description:
Body long and snake-like, without pectoral or ventral fins; dorsal, tail and anal fins form a single, long, continuous fin that begins behind the head, encircles the tail and extends midway down the belly. Body scale-less and coated with a clear, protective mucus layer. Body heavy, dark brown to black, with irregular, often interconnected,
bright yellow chain-like markings. Eyes yellow. Blunt teth unlike many morays in the area.

Ecology
Prefer shallow, clear-water reefs and rocky shores, down to 20m (65ft). It is also found in tide pools. Has blunt teeth suited to grasping  crabs and other crustaceans. Will even leave water briefly to csapture crabs in surf zone on rocky shorelines.  It exhibits the complex and rotational feeding pattern known as knotting in order to manipulate and consume their prey. It feeds on small fishes and particularly crustaceans, including crabs. It can withstand a lack of water for up to 30 minutes while hunting for prey.  Forage in open at night, or occasionally in tidal zones during the day where they feed on crabs. Constantly open and close mouth in order to move water through their gills for respiration.

Life Cycle
Like other species of moray eels, the chain moray is oviparous, meaning it produces eggs. The eggs and larvae are pelagic, unlike the adult moray, meaning they are able to be dispersed long distances away from the parent and benthic regions. Can exist almost at the surface in some instances .

Chained Moray Eel
Synonyms:
Ocellated Moray Eel
Chain Moray
Chained Moray Eel
(C) JE Randall
60