Starry moray
Echidna nebulosa
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Starry moray
- Scientific
- Echidna nebulosa
- Dhivehi
- No recorded Dhivehi name
- Group
- Eels
- Family
- Muraenidae (moray eels)
- Maximum size
- Up to about 1 m (total length); commonly 50 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 48 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2011
Description
A striking moray with a white to cream body marked by two rows of large, branching black blotches dotted with yellow centres, and bright yellow eyes and nostrils. It lives in crevices on shallow reef flats and lagoon reefs, often resting with only its head showing. Its blunt, rounded teeth are suited to crushing crabs and other crustaceans, which make up most of its diet. It is generally placid and is a popular aquarium fish.
In the Maldives
Often found in very shallow water on Maldivian house reefs and reef flats, where snorkellers can see it at low tide.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Echidna-nebulosa.html
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Snowflake_Moray,_Kona,_Hawaii_(6940089687).jpg
Dhivehi name source: No Dhivehi name found in MRS 1997 (available chapters), FishBase (country: Maldives) or Dhivehi Wikipedia.