Gymnothorax funebris

Green Moray Eels are mostly solitary and spend much of their time hidden within reef crevices, exposing only their heads while rhythmically opening their mouths to breathe. They are nocturnal hunters, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, often using ambush tactics. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally shy and avoid human interaction.

Green Morays reproduce through external fertilization, releasing eggs and sperm into the open water. They do not show parental care; the eggs hatch into transparent, ribbon-like larvae known as leptocephali, which drift in ocean currents before maturing into juvenile eels. Maturity is reached after several months to over a year, depending on environmental conditions.

Green Moray Eels can grow quite large, commonly reaching 5 to 6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) in length. Their green coloration is not from their skin but from a yellow mucus layer that mixes optically with their dark skin tone. They have powerful jaws with sharp teeth, adapted for gripping slippery prey, and a long, flexible body suited for maneuvering through reef structures.

Native to the western Atlantic Ocean, Green Morays inhabit tropical and subtropical waters from Florida and the Caribbean down to Brazil. They have been known to humans for centuries and often featured in folklore and coastal legends due to their dramatic appearance and behavior.

Green Moray Eels are not considered endangered and remain common throughout their range, though they can be affected by reef degradation, pollution, and overfishing that impacts their prey. Maintaining healthy coral reef systems is essential for sustaining stable populations of this species.