A moray eel has a long, snake-like body. Morays live in tropical seas, on coral reefs and rocky reefs. As of November 2026, scientists count about 200 species of moray eel. The green moray lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. It lives from New Jersey and Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil.
As of November 2026, these sizes are reported. The giant moray is reported to reach about 3 meters long. It can weigh up to 30 kilograms. That is the largest weight published for it. The green moray can reach 2.5 meters. It can weigh up to 29 kilograms. These are the largest sizes reported for the green moray. The California moray can grow to about 5 feet, or 1.5 meters. All morays range from about 20 centimeters, the redface eel, to 3.75 meters, the longtail moray.
A moray has no scales. You may think a green moray is green. It is really dark brown. Yellow slime on its skin makes it look green. The slime helps protect it from parasites.
A moray keeps opening and closing its mouth. This moves water over its gills so it can breathe. Many moray eels have sharp teeth.
A moray has a second set of jaws in its throat. A moray can tie its body into a knot to get leverage when it eats.
Morays eat fish, octopuses and crustaceans. The California moray eats small reef fish, octopuses, shrimps and crabs. Most moray eels hunt at night. Smell is a moray's strongest sense, and it uses smell to find food.
Giant morays live on reefs and in lagoons. A giant moray lives alone in a hole in the reef. A green moray lives alone too.
A moray often hides in a crack in the rocks with only its head showing. A moray can swim backward almost as well as forward. This helps it back into a crevice.
Words to know
- crevice: narrow crack
- lagoons: sea pool
- leverage: pulling power
- parasites: tiny pests
The short version
Moray eels have long, snake-like bodies and no scales. They live on coral reefs and rocky reefs in tropical seas, and as of November 2026, scientists count about 200 species. Most hunt at night and use smell to find food. A moray often hides in a crack in the rocks with only its head showing.
Quick facts
- A moray eel has a long, snake-like body and no scales.
- As of November 2026, scientists count about 200 species of moray eel.
- Smell is a moray's strongest sense, and it uses smell to find food.
- A moray has a second set of jaws in its throat.
- Most moray eels hunt at night.
Where do moray eels live?
Morays live in tropical seas, on coral reefs and rocky reefs. The green moray lives in the western Atlantic Ocean, from New Jersey and Bermuda to the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. The California moray lives along the Pacific coast from Point Conception, California, south to Magdalena Bay, Baja California.
What do moray eels eat?
Morays eat fish, octopuses and crustaceans. Giant morays eat reef fish. The California moray eats small reef fish, octopuses, shrimps and crabs.
How big do moray eels get?
Morays range in length from about 20 centimeters (the redface eel) to 3.75 meters (the longtail moray), as of November 2026. The giant moray is reported to reach about 3 meters long and can weigh up to 30 kilograms. The green moray can reach 2.5 meters long.
