| Range: |
Indian and Pacific Oceans |
| Habitat: |
Coral reefs |
| Conservation Status: |
Not listed by IUCN |
| Scientific Name: |
Gymnomuraena zebra |
Their long, snake-like bodies separate the eels from almost all other fish. Whereas a typical fish has a single tail fin and a varied number of fins on their upper and lower body, in eels these fins are fused to form one continuous fin around much of the body. Since they lack the scales that other fish have, eels are protected from scrapes and parasites by a slimy coat of mucus that covers their body.
Zebra moray eels spend their days hiding in tropical reefs and rock formations. At dusk they make swift, strikes at passing crabs, sea urchins and snails, which they locate with their keen sense of smell. They grip their victims with their sharp, backward-curving teeth, making it almost impossible for the prey to wriggle free. When it's not hunting for food, however, the zebra moray is a shy, retiring fish. For that reason it's popular among home aquarists.
The zebra moray eel species is named for its black and white stripes, which resemble those of a zebra.
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