Abbott’s Moray Eel

 

Brown with yellow and black spots, Abbott’s Moray eel or Gymnothorax eurostus, according to its biological name, is found in the eastern Pacific from Costa Rica and Easter Island. Belonging to the family Muraenidae, Abbott’s Moray eel is one of the shallow-water inshore species of moray eels found at the depths down to 40m. It inhabits the coral reefs in eastern and sub-tropical Indo-Pacific. The reef species is also occasionally found in Chile and is reported to have been spotted in Seychelles as well. Apart from the Pacific, it is abundant in the eastern, northern and west coasts of Australia, with particular rise in its population in the Solitary Islands. Abbott’s Moray eel is common in the coral reefs along both coasts. Its home is marine biome and it is found abundantly in shallow rocky and grassy areas of the coral reefs as compared to turbid areas and especially sea-harbours.

Abbott’s Moray eel has dark purplish-brown skin covered with black or brown spots which are sparse on the tail. It has small red bright eyes with wide jaws and sharp teeth, serpentine structure and lacking pectoral and pelvic fins. It is active at night and hunts its prey in the dark and so is rarely seen. One of the more timid members of the moray family, they are rarely seen completely outside their natural habitat, resorting to peek in the outside world with just their heads out of the hiding place on few occasions. Abbott’s Moray eel like other moray eels, relies in its sharp sense of smell for hunting. Similar to Turkey Moray in having biserial maxillary teeth, Abbott’s Moray eel possesses outer and inner maxillary teeth of equal length and intermaxillary teeth arranged in peripheral, median and intermediate series, with a bite which is defined as exceptionally dangerous, fatal for the common prey and dangerous even for humans. Commonly solitary, Abbott’s Moray eels often hunt in groups. With wide jaws and sharp teeth to pierce the flesh of the prey, they lie in waiting for their preys in ambush. Abbott’s Moray eel is carnivorous and its diet includes the local small fish, snails, crustaceans, octopuses and other small aquatic organisms. Abbot’s Moray eel can grow up to sixty centimeters in length.

True to its name “Costa Rica” or ‘rich coast’, as per its meaning in Spanish, has vast coastline with diverse marine life and terrestrial animals. They are found in Osa Peninsula, Guancaste, Puntarenas’ towns like Montezuma, Santa Teresa and Mal Pais, Torutga Island which can be approached through Montezuma, Coco Island and lots of other regions. The coral reefs provide safe-haven for the meek species of the moray eels and an eye treat for the onlookers and divers who wouldn’t otherwise so often come across these creatures and witness so magnificent a collection of wild and marine life. The Moray eels have characteristic serpent head with upper and lower two teeth used to capture the prey, wide jaws, small eyes and a swishing tail. They have small eyes with under-developed eyesight but rely on their sharp sense of smell for hunting and other purposes. One of the species of the moray eels, Abbott’s moray eel is an inshore anti tropical waters eel and one of the most common eels found in the Pacific.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott’s_moray_eel

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