Zebra Moray Eel

The Zebra Moray Eel is a striking sea creature that looks like it’s wearing the coolest striped pajamas in the ocean! Its long, thick body is covered in bold black and white bands, making it easy to see where it gets its name. Zebra Morays can grow up to about 5 feet long, though most are closer to 3 feet. Unlike many other eels, they have a blunt, rounded face and strong jaws that are perfect for crushing hard-shelled prey. And while their mouth is often open (to help them breathe), they’re not as scary as they look!

These eels live in warm, shallow reefs across the Indo-Pacific region, including areas around Hawaii, the Red Sea, and parts of East Africa. They love hiding in crevices, coral caves, and rocky nooks during the day, poking their heads out like little underwater dragons. Zebra Morays are mostly nocturnal, coming out at night to explore and hunt. Their striped pattern helps them blend into the reef’s shadows and coral, making them hard to spot—unless they want to be seen!

Zebra Moray Eels are carnivores with a taste for crustaceans and mollusks. Instead of chasing their food, they use their strong, rounded teeth to crush the hard shells of crabs, shrimp, and snails. They tend to be solitary and shy, keeping to themselves unless it’s dinnertime. In the ocean, they help keep invertebrate populations in check, playing a key role in the reef ecosystem. In aquariums and zoos, they’re a guest favorite—especially when you catch them peeking out of a coral cave with those zebra stripes on full display!

Zebra Moray Eel

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