The moray eel is considered a “true” eel, classified in the order Anguilliformes. Like other true eels, the moray’s dorsal fin begins just behind its head, extends along the length of its body and is fused with the caudal (tail) and anal fins. The moray eel also lacks both pelvic and pectoral fins.
What is a true eel?
A true eel is an elongated finned-fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes. There are more than 800 species of eel ranging in about 2 in (5 cm) to 13 ft (4 m) in length. The longest eel ever recorded was a slender giant moray eel captured in 1927—it measured 12.9 ft (3.9 m) long, or about the height of an elephant!
What is the difference between an eel and a moray?
Moray eels belong to the Muraenidae family, and are a member of the Anguilliformes order – the true eels. Their name “moray” comes from the Greek word muraina which actually just means “eel”. Verdict: IT’S AN EEL!
What makes an eel A moray?
moray, any of 80 or more species of eels of the family Muraenidae. Moray eels occur in all tropical and subtropical seas, where they live in shallow water among reefs and rocks and hide in crevices. They differ from other eels in having small rounded gill openings and in generally lacking pectoral fins.
Are there any true freshwater moray eels?
One of the only species of Moray Eels to inhabit true freshwater environments, the Tiger Moray (G. polyuranodon) is a rarity in the hobby due to the remote areas it inhabits in West Papua, Indonesia.
Do eels actually shock you?
Linked together in arrays of thousands of individual cells, the result is a kind of natural car battery, which releases its charge when the eel spots predators or prey. Up to 0.5kW of electric power is released per shock – enough to inflict significant injury on a human. Read more: How do fish know who they are?
How strong is a moray eel bite?
In fact, moray eel bites are infamously painful and can cause extensive bleeding. This is because they have teeth that jut backwards so that prey cannot easily escape. Moray eels also have a second set of jaws known as pharyngeal jaws that help them hold on to prey. Moray eel bites can range from minor to serious.
Are moray eels friendly?
While moray eels can be unpredictable and aggressive, they are rarely attack people. When they do, however, they can do some damage because, like a pit bull, they don’t like to let go.
Why do moray eels have 2 sets of jaws?
The article identifies the moray eel as the only known vertebrate to use a second set of jaws to both restrain and transport prey.
Are moray eels related to electric eels?
The Electric Eel Is Not an Eel
Moray eel. The most important fact to know about electric eels is that, unlike the Moray pictured here, they are not actually eels. Although it has an elongated body like an eel, the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) is actually a type of knifefish.
Why is it called a moray eel?
Moray eels belong to the Muraenidae family. The name comes from mūrēna, which is Latin for the Mediterranean moray eel. This word in turn comes from the Greek word muraina. There are 16 genera and over 200 species.
What’s the biggest eel in the world?
European conger
The European conger (Conger conger) is a species of conger of the family Congridae. It is the heaviest eel in the world and native to the northeast Atlantic, including the Mediterranean Sea.
Are moray eels aggressive?
With rows of sharp, dangerous teeth and a snake-like body with an elusive lifestyle, the sometimes shy moray eels are one of the coral reefs’ most effective predators. As menacing as they appear, moray eels are not considered aggressive but have been known to defend their lairs by quickly biting any perceived danger.
What kind of eels are in Lake Erie?
The American eel (Anguilla rostrate) is a state threatened species of freshwater eel, and the only freshwater eel found in North America. These eels are found in any Ohio stream and in Lake Erie, but their home range covers most of the eastern United States.
Can a freshwater eel hurt you?
Raw eel is poisonous. Eel blood is deadly, and the smallest amount is enough to kill a person. The toxic protein within their blood can cause severe muscle cramps that will affect the heart.
Are all eels salt water?
Eels can be found in both freshwater and saltwater, with the majority of species found at sea. While many eels can be found in the shallow waters of the ocean and burrow into sand, mud, or amongst rocks, other species live in deeper water on the continental shelves.
Can an electric eel power a light bulb?
While Wattson isn’t actually powering the lights outside the tank, it could. Big electric eels (which are not technically eels, but rather a type of knifefish) can discharge between 10 and 850 volts in a blast and easily power several DC 40-watt light bulbs for a second.
How strong is 600 volts?
At 600 volts, the current through the body may be as great as 4 amps, causing damage to internal organs such as the heart. High voltages also produce burns.
How many volts can a human sustain?
The human body has an inherent high resistance to electric current, which means without sufficient voltage a dangerous amount of current cannot flow through the body and cause injury or death. As a rough rule of thumb, more than fifty volts is sufficient to drive a potentially lethal current through the body.
Is it safe to touch a moray eel?
You should never touch a moray eel, it is one of the most dangerous creatures you will come across while diving. You may not get bitten every time and there is no need to take unwanted risks.
Why is eel blood toxic?
A very small amount of eel blood is enough to kill a person, so raw eel should never be eaten. Their blood contains a toxic protein that cramps muscles, including the most important one, the heart.