Meet the moray eel. It has a long, snake-like body with no scales. Morays live in tropical seas.

How big is a moray? As of November 2026, these sizes are reported. The giant moray is reported to reach about 3 meters long. The green moray can reach 2.5 meters long, the largest size reported for that species. The California moray can grow to about 5 feet, or 1.5 meters long.

Morays eat fish and octopuses. Giant morays eat reef fish. Many moray eels have sharp teeth.

Most moray eels hunt at night. Smell is a moray's strongest sense, and it uses smell to find food.

A moray keeps opening and closing its mouth. This moves water over its gills so it can breathe.

You may think a green moray is green. It is really dark brown. Yellow slime on its skin makes it look green. The slime also helps protect it from parasites.

Morays live on reefs. A moray often hides in a crack in the rocks. Only its head shows.

Words to know

• scales: fish skin plates
• gills: breathing parts
• parasites: tiny pests
• slime: wet goo