A benthic and solitary species (Ref. 26340) found commonly on reefs and rocky shore areas. Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 5521). At Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, offNE Brazil, forages for sally lightfoot crabs (Grapsus grapsus) on exposed reefs at ebb tide and in tide-pools mostly at daytime. Able to withstand up to 30 minutes out of water while foraging, uses four main tactics both in and out of the water. Searches for prey at pool rims and rock bases poking into crevices and holes, stealthily approaches previously sighted prey, chases prey and ambushes prey from under rocks and crevices. Hunting success varies with employed tactic, but overall success is about 50%. May move up to 6 meters in about 1 hour while foraging on the exposed reef. Its crab hunting is mostly visually guided and a fish darting nearby a stealthily foraging moray may cause it to miss the strike; the missed crab may be chased up to 5 m on the reef. Able to strike with its body partly or entirely out ofthe water, usually strikes from a distance of 5 to10 centimeters. Small crabs are swallowed whole, whereas larger ones are torn apart by a combination of tugging, rotating, knotting, and thrashing movements. Handling time is related to prey size, the largest crabs (carapace width 2.3-3.2 times larger than moray’s head width) broken up and swallowed within 90 to 240 seconds. Attracted to plastic or rubber decoys dragged on a nylon string nearby, striking at these (Ref. 50922).

Gulf of Mexico

Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Florida (USA), and the Bahamas to the Antilles (Ref. 26340) and Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde (Ref. 34514) and Ascension Island (Ref. 4450). The only record from West Africa is probably erroneous (Ref. 4450). Also southern Atlantic islands (Ref. 26938).

Maximum size: 1650 mm TL

165 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 26340))

With short blunt snout, yellow chain-like markings, teeth bluntly pointed or molar-like especially on roof of mouth (Ref. 26938).

Depth range based on 36 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 24 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.3 - 10
  Temperature range (°C): 27.075 - 29.336
  Nitrate (umol/L): 0.161 - 1.225
  Salinity (PPS): 34.217 - 36.024
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.454 - 4.662
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.006 - 0.344
  Silicate (umol/l): 1.338 - 4.423

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.3 - 10

Temperature range (°C): 27.075 - 29.336

Nitrate (umol/L): 0.161 - 1.225

Salinity (PPS): 34.217 - 36.024

Oxygen (ml/l): 4.454 - 4.662

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.006 - 0.344

Silicate (umol/l): 1.338 - 4.423
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Depth: 0 - 12m.
Recorded at 12 meters.

Habitat: reef-associated.

reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 12 m (Ref. 9710), usually 0 - 2 m (Ref. 40849)

A benthic species (Ref. 26340) found commonly on reefs and rocky shore areas . Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 5521). Carnivore (Ref. 57616). At Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, off NE Brazil, forages for sally lightfoot crabs (Grapsus grapsus) on exposed reefs at ebb tide and in tide-pools mostly at daytime. Able to withstand up to 30 minutes out of water while foraging, uses four main tactics both in and out of the water. Searches for prey at pool rims and rock bases poking into crevices and holes, stealthily approaches previously sighted prey, chases prey and ambushes prey from under rocks and crevices. Hunting success varies with employed tactic, but overall success is about 50%. May move up to 6 meters in about 1 hour while foraging on the exposed reef. Its crab hunting is mostly visually guided and a fish darting nearby a stealthily foraging moray may cause it to miss the strike; the missed crab may be chased up to 5 m on the reef. Able to strike with its body partly or entirely out ofthe water, usually strikes from a distance of 5 to10 centimeters. Small crabs are swallowed whole, whereas larger ones are torn apart by a combination of tugging, rotating, knotting, and thrashing movements. Handling time is related to prey size, the largest crabs (carapace width 2.3-3.2 times larger than moray’s head width) broken up and swallowed within 90 to 240 seconds. Attracted to plastic or rubber decoys dragged on a nylon string nearby, striking at these (Ref. 50922).

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 17
Species With Barcodes: 1

Not Evaluated

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial