10 Strange and Incredible Moray Eel Facts

Morays and eels, like 99% of all fish species in the order Anguilliformes, are bony fish of the class Actinopterygii, named for their eel-like appearance.

These sea serpents are actually bony fish

The moray eel's neck has a second pair of smaller jaws, pharyngeal jaws, containing microscopic teeth.

Morays have two pairs of jaws

Gymnothorax miliaris, the banana eel, is hostile. Its unflattering nickname is the Bastard eel.

Some of them are bastards

Eels are strange fish. Because they lack scales, their backs are spongy and sluggy, and their dorsal fin spans the length of them, making them look punky.

Morays don’t have any scales

Additionally, these fish have thick mucous layers. Mucous protects weak skin layers in nature.

They’re covered in toxic snot

Some poisonous divers love a cuddle with the proper diver and act affectionately when rubbed, tickled, or touched.

Some like a cuddle

To compensate, morays use chemoreception like smells and tastes to navigate.

They can’t see too well

Due to their constant shuffling during the day, a blind, snot-covered bastard may not be affected by this.

Moray eels are mostly nocturnal

The banded moray eel Gymnothorax rueppelliae and the leaf-nosed moray Rhinomuraena quaesita can change color for camouflage or in response to unusual behavior.

They can change colours

The leaf-nosed moray may change sex as it matures. Formerly male, they become female with age.

They can change their sex!