Moray eels, behavior of.

[Belmont]

We have seen a great variety of Moray eels in the Scubaboard photo section.

Size, colour, habitat, is there a difference in the behavior, agressivity, territoriality, curiosity of the different types?

As an example I am thinking of the differences found with sharks.

Your experiences...

 

[cudachaser]

I find green morays more tame then spotted...plus I got bit by a spotted eel

 

[diver 85]

I find green morays more tame then spotted...plus I got bit by a spotted eel

I agree except I've never been bitten...........but....my son has-- his 'pet' green eel got him good one time on Roatan........

 

[cudachaser]

Did you ever here of "Ole One Eye"? He's a tame Moray on Breakers Reef in WPB. He's called "One Eye" cause one of his eyes is all messed up. He likes to be petted and accepts free food donated by divers

 

[divermatt]

Did you ever here of "Ole One Eye"? He's a tame Moray on Breakers Reef in WPB. He's called "One Eye" cause one of his eyes is all messed up. He likes to be petted and accepts free food donated by divers

Stories about stuff like this makes me sad and scared.

 

[archman]

There was this fun news note that popped up recently.

http://www.enn.com/animals/article/22708

 

[Thalassamania]

There was this fun news note that popped up recently.

http://www.enn.com/animals/article/22708

Thanks, that's neat. We tend to see things with the blinders of our own species firmly in place (taxocentristic, if I may coin a word?).

 

[RonFrank]

I've seen a number of varieties of Eels, but am certainly not expert about the behavioral difference between species. Some things I do know, or have observed.

Eels open and close their mouths to breath. It's not aggressive behavior.

Eels don't see well, but have a good sense of smell (for lack of a better term). A *friendly* Eel may still bite if it thinks your hand is food and you are holding a meal.

Eels generally hunt at night.

Eels will team up with Grouper to hunt during the day. This is documented behavior, and I was lucky enough to witness this:

I've been in the face of quite a few eels with a big camera no less. I've never experienced aggressive behavior. If you are carrying food (hunting/otherwise), I'd be careful about approaching them. If you are just there to enjoy them approach slowly, and they don't seem to mind getting in close quarters. However if they attack, they are lightning fast, and they have some serious teeth, so use good judgment. If they start to leave their hole, I'd back off and give them space.

 

[archman]

The only thing I know regarding within-Family differences for morays, is that species tend to vary by the kind of teeth they have.

Which is why I'd rather have snowflakes than purplemouths in an aquarium. Snowflakes have dull, flat teeth that won't shred my flesh... as much.

 

[RonFrank]

HERE is a link to an interested article on Moray/Grouper corporative hunting.