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Interesting Facts about Leopard Moray Eels
[Phylum: Chordata] [Class: Actinopterygii] [Order: Anguilliformes] [Species: Enchelycore pardalis]
It has several common names, including the leopard moray and the Japanese dragon moray. Either way, the one with a dragon face is one of the most intensely coloured... and rarest.
This guide contains facts about the dragon moray eel (Enchelycore pardalis), including where they live, what they eat, and how they reproduce.
Dragon Moray Eel Habitats and Distribution
Some of the tropical and subtropical oceans provide ideal habitats for dragon morays, to a large extent in:
- Southern Japan (e.g. Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands)
- United States (Hawaiian Islands) and Minor Outlying Islands (e.g. Line Island, Midway Island)
- Indo-Pacific region (especially Indonesia, the Philippines)
- South Pacific Ocean (including French Polynesia, Kiribati, Samoa)
- Parts of East Africa (Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar, Réunion)
Interesting Fact: The cryptic behaviour and distinctive reef domains of the dragon moray (Enchelycore pardalis) means it's extremely rare for scuba divers to see them in the wild. Plus, despite being difficult to keep in a captive environment, tiger morays are highly sought after aquarium fish species by keen aquarists and Oceanariums.
Dragon Moray Eel Behaviour and Features
Most moray eel species live solitary lives and many of them are territorial in nature. They flourish better in shallow ecosystems, ranging from eight (8) metres (26 feet) and down at lower depths approaching sixty (60) metres (200 feet).
They spend some of the day hiding in coral reef structures and hunting around crevices, ledges, and the overhangs of reef drop-offs and walls.
In fact, all moray eels are fish, in spite of their snake-like appearance. However, very few species have typical fish fins (e.g. pectoral and pelvic fins).
Instead, they have a laterally compressed body shape with a long dorsal fin running from the head to the caudal and anal fin.
Key takeaways:
Upon reaching full maturity, adult dragon moray eels can grow to be around ninety two (92) centimetres long (3 feet).
Even though it's best not to touch a moray eel, the skin is smooth, scaleless, and covered in a thick, slimy mucus that often contains toxins - known as ciguatoxins.
The body colouration varies between the different types of moray eel with further regional variations. Even so, the distinctive "leopard-like" and vivid colours of the dragon moray are mostly orange, yellow, white, and black.
They have small eyes, a narrow head, a wide curved jaw, and a snout with elongated tubular nostrils. Hence, it's a fish that relies on a sharp sense of smell to identify their prey - not visual acuity.
Pro Tip: Another page contains a breakdown of moray eel anatomy with further details about the function of their key body parts.
What Do Dragon Morays Eat?
Morays are evasive reef predators, but mostly inactive during the day. They become much more active during the darkness when they start hunting for food.
These large predatory carnivores have very sharp teeth for tearing and grasping their prey - which may include carrion (the decaying flesh of dead sea life).
Moray eels feed on small fishes, octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and marine worms.
Even so, snowflake and zebra morays possess blunt crushing molars that are best suited for targeting marine crustaceans, such as crabs, shrimps, lobsters, and even red lionfish.
How Do Morays Eat Their Prey?
Most fish use a process known as "negative pressure suction feeding" to swallow their food. But, moray eels tend to struggle with this feeding action because their head is too narrow.
Instead, they launch the second jawline of pharyngeal teeth from the back of the throat into their prey. Doing so immobilises the victim and makes it easier to transport the food inwards for digestion. No other animals use this behavioural trait of capture and restraint.
Interesting Fact: Morays frequently open and close their mouths. Even though it may look threatening, it's part of their respiratory system as they pump water over the gills to breathe.
How Do Moray Eels Reproduce?
Accurate information is limited, and moray eel reproduction has rarely been observed. However, scientists believe they spawn deep in the ocean during the darkness.
Because most moray species are dioecious, sexual reproduction involves males and females. Through a process of external fertilisation, they release their eggs and sperm into the water column.
Here's the thing:
In the wild, spawning occurs in open water away from their normal habitat. Female moray eels can release several thousand eggs in one single event.
During the larval stage, fertilised eggs will hatch into transparent, slim headed, ribbon-like larvae. The larvae drift with the ocean currents for up to twelve (12) months, feeding on planktonic organisms and other types of detritus, until they develop into juvenile eels and settle into a suitable reef or benthic habitat.
Threats and Predators
They may be an elusive species with razor sharp teeth and elusive behavioural traits, but adult dragon morays are not totally immune to natural and human-related threats.
For example, apart from human collection, some of the large oceanic predatory hunters that attack moray eels include:
- Barracudas
- Grouper fish (e.g. the Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara))
- Other moray species (yes they are cannibalistic fish)
- Reef sharks (especially grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos))
- Seabirds (feeding on juveniles in shallow water)
- Venomous sea snakes
Plus, being tightly linked to healthy coral reef ecosystems means some moray populations may be at risk. Common factors include coral reef destruction and degradation, bycatch, underwater garbage pollution, and environmental changes.
Human Interactions
On the whole, moray eels are not aggressive to divers and snorkelers, unless provoked or threatened. Even so, some of the largest moray eel species can inflict a serious bite if you provoke them or disturb them by accident.
Even though scuba diving with fish can be an exciting experience, hand-feeding marine species has its associated risks.
Put another way:
In the past, morays have bitten aquarium keepers during feeding and recreational scuba divers - mostly due to the moray's poor vision and their robust feeding response.
Moray Eels and the Aquarium Trade
If you enjoy keeping big fish as pets you'll know that some eels are popular with aquarium hobbyists. Morays kept in captivity tend to be hardy and disease resistant.
Pro Tip: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assessed the conservation status of the dragon moray (family Muraenidae) in August 2011 and specified them as being of "Least Concern" (LC). Having an average lifespan of more than ten (10) years is one of the primary reasons for the thriving populations.