Giant Moray

Gymnothorax javanicus

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

The giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) is the bulkiest moray on the reef, brown with dark leopard-like blotches. A dark patch around the gill opening helps identify it.

It can reach over 2.5 m and hunts fish and crustaceans, sometimes cooperatively with groupers. Despite its size, it is generally not aggressive unless provoked.

In the Philippines it is found in large holes and under coral heads on reef slopes.