Gymnothorax undulatus (Lacepède, 1803)

The Gymnothorax undulatus (undulated moray) is a distinctive moray eel, taking its name from the pattern of light undulating lines that form a faint net-pattern along its long, sinuous body. Like other moray eels, the undulated moray does not have scales, and so to protect itself from parasites and scrapes, it secretes a protective layer of mucus over the thick, muscular body. The G. undulatus is a nocturnal species that uses its keen sense of smell to actively and aggressively hunt for fish, octopus and crustaceans, consuming almost anything that will fit in its mouth. When prey is captured, it uses a specialized second set of jaws within the throat to grasp onto the prey and drag it back into the throat. Commonly found on reef flats and in lagoons, the undulated moray hides among rocks, rubble or debris down to depths of 30 meters. Female spawns large numbers of heavily-yolked eggs, which are fertilized externally by the male. Small, ribbon-shaped larvae subsequently emerge from the eggs to drift passively in ocean currents as part of the zooplankton community, before growing large enough to establish a territory on a reef. Maximum length is 100 cm in Persian Gulf (Iran, Kish Island)