Enigmatic Moray

Gymnothorax enigmaticus

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Muraenidae
Genus: Gymnothorax
Species: Gymnothorax enigmaticus

The enigmatic moray (Gymnothorax enigmaticus) is a banded moray with dark brown and pale rings, often mistaken for a sea snake. Its banding may help it mimic venomous sea kraits.

It grows to about 50-60 cm and feeds on small fish and crustaceans. It lives in shallow water, often on reef flats.

In the Philippines it is found in shallow rocky and rubble areas, hiding in holes by day.

Photo: Jean-Paul Boerekamps, CC0 1.0, via iNaturalist