WATERY WEDNESDAY # 39

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 39

We’re going diving in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific Oceans today! We’re looking for a shy, unusual and beautiful fish! Make sure your diving goggles are extra clean and you have a flashlight, because these fish like to hide out! Let’s do this!

MEET THE ZEBRA MORAY!

   Range/Habitat: Pacific- Indian Oceans & Gulf of California/ coral reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: crabs, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: up to 35”/ 22lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• Zebra Morays are eels.
• They have no scales or fins.
• Zebra morays have black and white, long muscular bodies.
• Zebra morays ooze a slime that protects their skin since they don’t have any scales.
• They lurk in cliffs, rocks and coral; often with only their head sticking out.
• Zebra morays are ambush predators.
• They have blunt teeth for crushing prey!
• Zebra morays are very territorial.

These amazing eels sure are pretty! We’re not sure we’d want to touch one though, eeeww slimy! Would you be scared if you saw one of these lurking in your neighborhood reef? We sure wouldn’t!