| Giant Moray | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Range | Pacific Ocean |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Anguilliformes |
| Family | Muraenidae |
| Genus | Gymnothorax |
| Species | G. javanicus |
The Giant moray, (Gymnothorax javanicus), is a species of moray eel found at reefs in the Indo-Pacific. In terms of body mass, it is the largest moray eel (the slender giant moray is longer).
Range and Habitat[]
The giant moray is widespread in the Indo-Pacific region, being found in the Red Sea and East Africa, the Pitcairn group, north to the Ryukyu and Hawaiian islands, south to New Caledonia, Fiji and the Austral Islands. It is found in lagoons and seaward reefs.
Description[]
As the name suggests, this is a large eel, reaching up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in length and 30 kg (66 lb) in weight. While juveniles are tan in colour with large black spots, adults have black specks that grade into leopard-like spots behind the head and a black area surrounding the gill opening.
Diet[]
The giant moray mainly feeds on fish and crustaceans. It has been known to engage in cooperative hunting with the roving coralgrouper (Plectropomus pessuliferus).
Hazards[]
This species may be hazardous to people in two ways:
- Being at the top of the food chain it is likely to cause ciguatera poisoning if eaten.
- It has been implicated in provoked and unprovoked attacks on scuba divers.
