This snake-like animal is indeed a member of the large family of fish. Even though the Mediterranean moray eel (Muraena helena) can reach a maximum size of 1.50 meters, it is more common to encounter animals between 70 and 90 cm long. Found on rocky bottoms up to a hundred meters deep, it likes to shelter its body during the day and hunt at night.Photo above: © Yann Valton
- Poor vision: the vision of the moray eel is not its main asset. It must be said that at night it is not necessarily very useful. It mainly distinguishes movements and shapes. When something approaches, it opens its mouth to « taste » the water to analyze what is in front of it.
- Exceptional sense of smell: the tubular nostrils of the moray eel are lined with many small vibrating cilia that capture all the odorous particles around the animal. The orientation of these nostrils allows the animal to easily detect the origin of a smell and thus easily find its prey.
- A single fin: the moray eel’s pectoral and pelvic fins are completely absent. However, the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are connected into a single fin that extends from the back of its head to its anus. This unique fin undulates with the movements of the fish and enhances this snake-like appearance.
- No scales: the body of the moray eel lacks scales but is covered with a thick, slippery, protective mucus. Its smooth skin thus allows it to move more easily among crevices and rocks.
- An underwater alien: X-rays of moray eels have revealed that they actually have a second jaw located at the pharynx. This second mobile jaw moves very quickly when the moray opens its mouth and grabs prey, allowing it to be pulled into the throat, giving it no chance to escape.
- No need for a dentist: the sharp teeth of the moray are always remarkably effective. The animal has a choice partner, always present in its lair, to take care of them: the cleaner shrimp (Lysmata seticaudata). In this commensal association, the moray benefits from regular cleaning of its teeth, and the shrimp, in return, enjoys all the food collected this way.
- Can tie « knots in its stomach »: the moray uses an extraordinary technique to tear apart large prey, such as octopus legs. It creates a sort of knot at the base of its tail. It moves this knot up its body, and when it reaches the head, it jerks it back, utilizing the strength of its body to cut its prey.
- A transformation-filled growth: reproduction takes place during the summer period when thousands of eggs are released offshore. The hatching will give birth to tiny leptocephalus larvae (resembling willow leaves) that will follow the currents before reconquering rocky grounds once the metamorphosis to the adult stage is complete.
- A name that causes confusion: the common name of the moray eel comes from the old French moreine, which itself is derived from the Latin muraena. The Latin name muraena derives from the ancient Greek word for eel.
- A bad reputation: the reputation of the moray eel likely comes from the writings of Pliny the Elder, who mentioned that in the 1st century BC, Vedius Pollion, a wealthy Roman businessman, enjoyed throwing his enemies and slaves into pools filled with moray eels. Today, fishermen still warily perceive the animal, which can inflict painful wounds that can easily become infected.
Fabien Valladier
