Viper Moray

Enchelynassa canina, often known as the Viper Moray Eel, is a species of large, stout uniformly dark brown moray eel with an elongate, laterally compressed body and a tapering tail. It has strongly arched jaws with long fang-like teeth and a long bilobed flap on the anterior nostrils. Only the tips of the jaws meet, so the impressive teeth are visible even when the mouth is closed. Reported maximum total length is over 1.5 m. This species is known from the Hawaiian and central Pacific islands west to Mauritius in the Indo-Pacific and from Clipperton Island and Panama in the eastern Pacific. It is found on outer reefs and reef flats down to 30 m and is said to be nocturnal, feeding on fishes and octopuses. (Böhlke and Randall 2000 and references therein) Moray eels are “sit-and-wait” predators. Theys are often seen with just their head sticking out of a rock crevice, waiting for a fish to swim by. When the prey is close enough, the eel quickly attacks it, then retreats back into the rock or coral.

Each posterior nostril which is located in front of, and above the eye, is large and surrounded by a fleshy rim, and each anterior nostril bears a bilobed fleshy protuberance which is absent in species of Enchelycore.Description: Characterized by its reddish brown color during the day, grey at night; body depth at gill opening 11-20 in TL; origin of dorsal fin between corner of mouth and gill opening; anus near middle of body; slender and hooked jaws; visible large fang-like teeth in gap between jaws when mouth closed; two rows of jaw teeth; small and sharp outer row teeth, close to canines of inner row; three elongate canines in median row at front of upper jaw; short broad tube anterior nostril with posterior bilobed flap; large ovate opening with low rim and crenulate edge posterior nostril, midway between eye and anterior nostril (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0; Vertebrae: 141 - 147

Inhabits areas with strong surge such as benches, outer reef flats and reef fronts. Very secretive during the day, feeds on fishes and octopi at night (Ref. 9710).

Inhabits areas with strong surge such as benches, outer reef flats and reef fronts (Ref. 9710). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Very secretive during the day; feeds on fishes and octopi at night (Ref. 9710). May bite by accident or when provoked.

The viper moray (Enchelynassa formosa or Enchelynassa canina) is a species of saltwater eel, the only member of the genus Enchelynassa of the family Muraenidae (Moray eels). It is found in the Indo-Pacific oceans. It can grow up to 250 cm.

Viper moray, Clipperton Island