AnimalID

Name

5412

Green Moray Eel

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IsClimber:

IsJumper:

General Information

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Description:

There are over one hundred species of bottom-dwelling moray eels (Muraenidae). The largest of these is Thyrsoidea macrurus, the giant moray eel. Like other eels, moray eels belong to the class of bony fish.

The moray eel has no scales. Instead, a slippery mucous covers its smooth skin for protection. The coloration of the skin also provides this bottom dwelling animal with camouflage. Although some moray eels blend into the rocky bottom, others are brightly colored. They have small fins used for thrust when swimming or slithering along the ocean floor. Moray eels have a single pair of gill slits. Unlike the gills of other fish, the slits of moray eels are circular. By keeping its mouth open, the moray eel can increase circulation through its gills to provide oxygen even when still.Moray eels have a pair of strong jaws with long pointed teeth. The shape and angle of these teeth prevent prey from escaping once trapped in the moray eel’s mouth. The giant morays can grow to be ten feet long. Most of the other morays are smaller than that, but can still average two to three feet in length.

The moray eel generally hunts at night and hides during the day. Although they are rumored to attack humans, most moray eels are shy of divers and only attack if provoked. Instead, these fish prefer to feed on fish and mollusks. Moray eels usually have a den or rocky hole in which to conceal themselves while hunting. Often only their heads protrude from these holes while they lie in wait for prey.

Since most moray eels have poor eyesight, they rely heavily on their sense of smell to hunt. Many of the larger moray eels will prey upon octopi much larger then their own size. Since both eels and octopi like to live in small rocky holes, these two species are often in conflict. Morays often solve this conflict by eating the offending octopus, one tentacle at a time. Moray eels are found in the tropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and western Atlantic Oceans. They prefer coral reefs or rocky-bottomed shallow waters.

Like all fish, moray eels lay eggs to produce offspring. These eggs hatch into a tiny, leaf shaped planktonic larva called a leptocephalus. This three-inch juvenile eel rides the currents for at least eight months. Many leptocephalus are consumed by the filter feeders of the tropical ocean. The survivors mature into adult eels and settle to the ocean floor or reef surface to search for a lair.

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General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers)

Which tank wall is suitable for this animal?     Remember that all tanks need a tank filter!

How big should the exhibit be and what Depth should the tank be?

What foliage should be used?

What rocks should be used?

What shelter does the animal need?

What toy does the animal like?

Does this animal perform in a show?

No

TankWallName

Purchase Cost

See Through

Height

Strength

Life

Cost Effective

Concrete Edge and Glass

$125

Yes

3

500

13

10.4

Atlantean Tank Wall

$125

Yes

3

500

13

10.4

Solid Concrete

$125

No

3

500

13

10.4

Black Bar and Glass

$130

Yes

3

500

13

10.0

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The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Animal Density

Min

Number of Animals/Exhibit

Max

10

4

8

Terrain Name

Value

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Rocks

Foliage

Exhibit Size

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Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ID

Value

TreeName

Foliage Effect

Cost/ Square

Cost Effective

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ID

Value

RockName

Size X

Size Y

Rock

Rock Effect

Purchase Cost

Cost Effective

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Shelter ID

Shelter Name

Shelter Value

Shelter Effect

Purchase Cost

Capacity

none

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Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ToyID

ToyName

ToyValue

PurchaseCost

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The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Compatible Animals

Prey Animals

mermaid

10

KeeperFoodType:

Fish

Pacific Octopus

Bluefin Tuna

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?