Species · GBIF taxon 2404380
Zebra Moray
Gymnomuraena zebraAlso known as Zebra Eel, Zebra Moray Eel
Zebra morays stand out among eels with their striking black-and-white banded patterns and specialized blunt, pebble-like teeth designed for crushing hard-shelled prey. Unlike their sharp-toothed relatives, these docile reef dwellers actively search sandy bottoms and rocky crevices for crabs, lobsters, and urchins. They play a vital role in maintaining healthy coral ecosystems by controlling crustacean populations.
Reef DwellerNocturnalCarnivore
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crabs
- Lobsters
- Sea urchins
Predators
- Large groupers
- Reef sharks
- Sea snakes
ThreatsHabitat degradation, aquarium trade harvesting, and climate change
HabitatsCoral reefs, rocky crevices, and sandy lagoons
Life span10 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMuraenidae
- SpeciesGymnomuraena zebra
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses powerful crushing jaws; avoid reaching into dark reef crevices where they hide.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with blunt, pebble-like teeth and powerful jaw muscles designed to crush hard shells, which can cause painful crushing injuries.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for the distinctive, closely spaced vertical black and white stripes along the entire length of its thick, snake-like body.
- What to do
- Observe from a respectful distance and never attempt to hand-feed or corner them in caves.
Responsible observation
- Look in Crevices: Scan deep, dark reef overhangs and caves during the day, as only their striped snouts are usually visible.
- Keep Your Distance: Maintain a respectful distance while diving to avoid startling them into a defensive retreat.
- Night Diving: Watch for active hunting behavior along the reef floor after sunset when they emerge to forage.
Reef Neighbor (c) Derek Keats, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Image unavailableReef Neighbor 
Close Relative "Waikiki Aquarium--Snowflake Moray Eel 2" by Makuahine Pa'i Ki'i is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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