Undulated Moray

The Undulated Moray is a large and formidable predatory eel recognized by its complex pattern of wavy, undulating dark lines and markings over a lighter greenish-brown to tan base coloration. This intricate pattern, which gives the species its common name, provides excellent camouflage among the shadows and textures of the reef, making the eel difficult to spot when it is tucked into its rocky lair. Growing to nearly five feet in length, the Undulated Moray is one of the more commonly encountered large morays in the Indo-Pacific.

In the wild, Undulated Morays are widely distributed from the Red Sea and East Africa across the entire Indo-Pacific to Hawaii. They inhabit coral reef crevices, rocky overhangs, and caves from shallow water to moderate depths. They are powerful nocturnal predators with strong jaws and sharp, recurved teeth designed for grasping and holding slippery fish prey. They hunt primarily at night, emerging from their lairs to actively search the reef for sleeping fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

In the home aquarium, the Undulated Moray requires an experienced keeper and a large tank of at least 180 gallons. It is one of the more aggressive moray eel species and is decidedly not reef-safe, posing a serious predatory threat to all fish and invertebrates small enough to be consumed. Tankmates must be chosen with extreme care and should be of comparable size. A heavy, secure lid is absolutely essential, and strong filtration and protein skimming are necessary to manage the bio-load of this large carnivore. Despite its demanding requirements, dedicated eel enthusiasts value it for its impressive size and striking undulated pattern.