Common names: moray (English), morena (Espanol)
 
Gymnothorax javanicus (Bleeker, 1859)

Giant moray

Relatively deep bodied, especially adults, tail strongly tapering; anus at or slightly before mid-length; front nostril simple tube; posterior nostril at level of profile of head; lower jaw straight, mouth closes completely; teeth large, stout, sharp, 2-3 large canines in single row at front between top jaws; upper jaw side teeth in 1-2 rows, inner row not very large; lower jaw with 3-4 inner canines at front on each side, and a row of small sharp teeth; dorsal and anal fins covered with skin, but very evident.

Green to green-brown; with small squarish black spots on head, larger irregular lichen shaped blackish blotches regularly dispersed over body and fins; gill opening in a large round black spot. Juvenile: head and body with dispersed dark blotches and spots.

Size: 300 cm, 30 kg.

Habitat: rocky and coral reefs.


Depth: 1-50 m.

Indo-Pacific; vagrant at Cocos, NW Costa Rica, western Panama and the northern Galapagos.