The green moray eel is one of the most recognizable species of moray eels, thanks to its distinctive greenish coloration and one of the most iconic inhabitants of the coral reefs in the western Atlantic ocean.

The green moray eel has a characteristic green color that comes from a yellow mucus secreted by its skin, which mixes with the bluish hue of the underlying skin.

The body of the green moray eel is elongated like that of a snake and lacks both pelvic and pectoral fins. As adults, they typically measure around 4 to 5 feet in length, but some individuals can reach over 8 feet long.

The green moray eel inhabits the tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic ocean, ranging from the coasts of North Carolina down to Brazil, including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

The green moray eel is a benthic species found in coral reefs, lagoons, shipwrecks and underwater rock crevices at depths of up to about 165 feet. It is mostly active at night, although it may partially emerge from its shelter during the day.

Highly territorial, the green moray eel often returns to the same shelter for extended periods. It sometimes coexists with cleaner shrimp, such as the banded cleaner shrimp (Stenopus hispidus), which remove parasites from its skin and mouth.

The green moray eel feeds primarily on fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. It can actively hunt or lie in wait to ambush its prey. It has a dual-jaw system: a fixed primary jaw and a second, mobile pharyngeal jaw that allows it to grasp and swallow prey with remarkable efficiency.

The green moray eel is an oviparous species, with external fertilization. The eggs hatch into planktonic larvae that drift in the ocean for several months before undergoing metamorphosis.

The green moray eel is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The green moray eel appears in the IUCN Red List since 2015 within the category Least Concern !

Despite their bad reputation, green moray eel attacks are rare. However, it’s important to keep your distance and avoid touching them, as green morays can deliver serious bites with its sharp teeth.