Green moray

The green moray (Gymnothorax funebris) is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae, found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Long Island, New York, Bermuda, and the northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil, at depths down to 40 metres (130 ft). With a length up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft), it is the largest moray species of the tropical Atlantic and one of the largest species of moray eel known.

The common name "green moray" is also sometimes used to refer to the yellow moray, G. prasinus. Its green colour comes from a protective layer of mucus secreted by its specialized goblet cells much like other species of moray. Underneath this mucus layer, the green moray eel is a darker color as can be seen in preserved specimens.

Green morays are typically not eaten and can cause ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). Though the green moray is not considered endangered, moray eels in general are under-studied and often under-counted by traditional visual surveys. The green moray is rated as Least Concern by the IUCN, with no notable threats beyond occasional capture for public aquaria.

Behaviour

Fish and crabs have been reported as gut contents in green morays. Many moray eels cooperate with other fish during hunting, and Brazilian snapper (Lutjanus alexandrei) appear to recruit green morays while foraging among mangroves.