Snowflake moray (Echidna nebulosa)

Latin name

Echidna nebulosa

Other name

Сlouded moray, starry moray.

Identification

Body elongated, eel-shaped, slightly compressed at the sides. Skin bare, covered with mucus. Sexual dimorphism is not expressed.

Features of fish fins

The dorsal fin begins on the head in front of the gill openings and extends to and joins the caudal fin. The anal fin begins just behind the anal opening at the center of the body, extends to the caudal fin, and joins it. The caudal fin is rounded. Pectoral and ventral fins are absent.

Fish colouring

The body and head are yellowish to whitish, covered with numerous dark worm-like short lines or small dots. Along the back and lower part of the body are rows of large reticulated black spots, sometimes reduced to star patterns. In each spot there are several yellow spots. The snout is white. The iris and nostrils are yellow. 

Distribution

Widespread in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans. Indo-Pacific: from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf along the east coast of Africa to South Africa, including Madagascar, the Mascarenes, and the Seychelles; east to the Society Islands and Hawaii; north to the Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands; and south to Australia and New Caledonia. Eastern Atlantic: From Baja California, Costa Rica and Panama to Colombia. Also found in the southeastern Atlantic.

Habitat

Benthic marine fish. They live near rocky reefs at depths from 1 to 48 meters, usually down to 10 meters. Also found in seagrass beds with rocky debris. 

Size

Maximum body length 100 centimeters, usually about 50 centimeters. 

Behavior

Found among rocks and corals on inshore reef shoals, as well as in shallow lagoons and offshore reefs. They are solitary and nocturnal. 

Food and feeding habits

They feed on crustaceans and small fish.

Reproduction

Primordial hermaphroditism has not been confirmed in this species.

Fishing

Of minor commercial importance in fisheries.

Relationship with a person

This species is safe to keep with small aquarium fish.