Moray eels

Muraenidae

The reef's resident dragons — morays peek from holes with jaws rhythmically opening and closing (they're breathing, not threatening you). Cleaning stations are the best place to watch them fully emerge and hold still.

Last updated April 2026

Species

Mediterranean moray eel

Muraena helena(23 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 130 cm2–40mRocky reefCave

Dark brown body densely patterned with yellow speckles and a wide, gaping mouth. The classic Mediterranean moray, often seen with mouth rhythmically opening for breathing.

Peers out from rocky holes with its mouth agape — looks threatening but is just breathing. Keep hands out of crevices as bites are defensive.

Mediterranean chromis, Mediterranean moray eel

Observed at

Mar Menuda(Tossa de Mar)El Santuari(Costa del Maresme)Montseny(Costa del Maresme)Ancora del Negre(Costa del Maresme)Ullastres I(Palamós)Tascó Petit(Illes Medes)Roca Muladera(Tossa de Mar)Dofí Nord(Illes Medes)Las Planetas(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)La Garita(Tarifa)Pecio de San Andrés(Tarifa)El Plaer del Vell(Costa del Maresme)Pujola(Costa del Maresme)La Trencada(Costa del Maresme)Barra de l'Arbre(Costa del Maresme)Carall Bernat(Illes Medes)El Faro(Ibiza)La Virgen(Costa del Maresme)Ullastres II(Palamós)

Giant moray

Gymnothorax javanicus(8 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 300 cm5–50mCoral reefCave

The largest moray species — a massive eel reaching 3 meters, with brown leopard-like spots on a yellowish body. Unmistakable size and bulk.

Rests in large coral caves or under table corals during the day, sometimes attended by cleaner wrasses working inside its open mouth.

Observed at

Rosalie Moller(Hurghada)Chrisoula K(Hurghada)Dunraven(Sharm El Sheikh)Ras Ghozlani(Sharm El Sheikh)Temple(Sharm El Sheikh)

Black moray

Muraena augusti(7 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 100 cm2–30mRocky reefCave

A uniformly dark brown to black moray endemic to Macaronesian waters — Canaries, Madeira, Azores. Darker and stockier than the Mediterranean moray.

Found in volcanic rock crevices, often at shallow depths — relatively common on Canary Islands night dives.

Observed at

El desierto(El Hierro)El Río(El Hierro)El Veril(El Hierro)

Goldentail moray

Gymnothorax miliaris(1 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 70 cm3–35mRocky reefCoral reef

A small, bright yellow moray with a golden-brown body covered in tiny white spots. One of the more colorful morays in the Atlantic.

Peeks from small holes in the reef, often more active and visible at night — a delight for macro photographers.

Observed at

La cueva del diablo(El Hierro)

Brown moray

Gymnothorax unicolor(1 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 130 cm10–50mRocky reefCave

A large, uniformly chocolate-brown moray without distinctive markings. Stocky body and blunt head — often confused with the conger eel but has the typical moray nostril tubes.

Rests in deep caves and overhangs, sometimes sharing shelter with other moray species — more secretive than the common Mediterranean moray.

Observed at

El Río(El Hierro)

Fangtooth moray

Enchelycore anatina(1 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 120 cm5–40mRocky reefCave

A dramatic moray with a bright yellow mouth, elongated nostrils, and fang-like teeth that protrude even when the mouth is closed. Dark brown body with yellow highlights.

Hides deep in rocky crevices with just its unmistakable fanged face visible — a prized find for photographers on Canary Islands dives.

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