Barred Moray, also known as Banded Moray, Dark-banded Eel, Girdled Moray, Girdled Reef Eel, Many Banded Moray Eel, Ringed Moray, Ringed Reef Moray, Striped Moray, and Zebra Eel, belongs to the moray eel family.
It was first described by John Richardson in 1845.
This tropical marine eel lives in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, and includes areas such as the Great Barrier Reef.
It’s found at depths of 6.6 to 65.6 feet (2 to 20 meters) in reefs and shallow lagoons.
Barred Moray eats shrimp like Saron marmoratus, crabs, isopods, and polychaetes during both day and night.
It lives on reef flats, clear shallow lagoons, and seaward reefs but is not reef-safe due to its feeding habits on small crustaceans living within these ecosystems.
However, this fish is important for small-scale fishing and aquarium trade.
Barred Moray Interesting Facts
- Barred Moray, also known as the Banded Eel or Zebra Eel, was first described in 1845 and grows up to 28.5 inches (72.3 centimeters) long.
- Found in the Indo-Pacific region, this tropical marine eel lives near reefs and shallow lagoons at depths of 6.6 to 65.6 feet.
- As part of their diet, Barred Moray eats shrimp, crabs, isopods, and polychaetes during the day and night.
- Key features include a dorsal fin that starts before the gill opening and jaw teeth that are conical to rounded with many molariform teeth on a wide plate.
Barred Moray Habitat
Barred Moray is found in the Indo-Pacific region. Its habitat stretches from the Red Sea and East Africa to places like Hawaii, Marquesas, Tuamoto Islands, Ryukyu Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.
This fish lives in marine environments near reefs and is found at depths of 2 to 20 meters (6.5 to 65 feet).
It thrives in tropical waters with latitudes ranging from 30°N to 24°S.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Barred Moray Physical Characteristics
Size: 28.5 inches (72.3 centimeters)
Barred Moray grows up to 28.5 inches (72.3 centimeters) long. It has no dorsal spines or soft rays, no anal spines or soft rays, but has around 132 to 137 vertebrae.
Its body is grey with pale stripes that become less distinct as it grows older.
Young Barred Moray has around 25 to 30 dark brown bars separated by thin white spaces. As this fish matures, its pattern turns into a mottled brown color.
The corner of its mouth is dark brown, while its head is typically lighter in color with yellowish tones and irregular dark spots.
Some key features of Barred Moray include:
- Dorsal fin starting before the gill opening,
- Anus is located near the middle of the body,
- Lack of canine teeth,
- The jaw teeth are conical to rounded and molar-like, and
- There’s a wide plate containing many molariform teeth (up to over 50 in large individuals).
Barred Moray Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Muraenidae |
| Genus: | Echidna |
| Scientific Name: | Echidna polyzona |
| Also Known As: | Barred Moray, Banded Moray, Dark-banded Eel, Girdled Moray, Girdled Reef Eel, Many Banded Moray Eel, Ringed Moray, Ringed Reef Moray, Striped Moray, Zebra Eel |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |