Goldentail moray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goldentail moray |
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| Goldentail moray (Gymnothorax miliaris) in the waters off San Salvador Island, Bahamas | |
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The goldentail moray (scientific name: Gymnothorax miliaris) is a type of marine fish. It belongs to the family called Muraenidae, which includes many kinds of moray eels. This interesting fish is also known by other names like the bastard eel or conger moray.
Contents
Discovering the Goldentail Moray
What Does It Look Like?
The goldentail moray is a medium-sized fish. It can grow up to 70 centimeters (about 27 inches) long. However, most of the ones people see are around 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) long.
This eel has a long, snake-like body. Its body color can be light or dark brown. It is covered with many small yellow spots. The spots are smaller on its head. They get bigger as you move towards its tail. Both its snout and tail are usually yellowish. If you look inside its mouth, you will see it is white.
Special Yellow Morays
Sometimes, you might see a special type of goldentail moray. It is often called the "Banana Eel." This eel is mostly yellow. Instead of many small spots, it has a few large spots.
Where Goldentail Morays Live
Ocean Homes and Locations
The goldentail moray lives in many places across the western Atlantic Ocean. You can find it in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. This means it lives from Florida and the Bermudas all the way down to southeastern Brazil.
It has also been seen near islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. These include Saint Helena and Ascension Island. It also lives close to the African coast, near the Cape Verde Islands.
Preferred Depths and Reefs
These eels usually live on rocky areas and coral reefs. They like slopes that are between the surface and 35 meters (about 115 feet) deep. Sometimes, they can be found as deep as 60 meters (about 198 feet).
Life and Habits of the Goldentail Moray
Hunting for Food
The goldentail moray is a carnivorous fish, meaning it eats other animals. It usually lives alone. This eel leaves its hiding spot at night to hunt for food along the reef. However, people have also seen it hunting during the daytime.
It mostly eats small invertebrates. These include creatures like crustaceans (such as crabs and shrimp) and mollusks (like snails and clams). It rarely eats small fishes.
