Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Sighting evidence at Cristo degli Abissi, Portofino
Photo: frahome · CC BY-NC
Mediterranean morays reach up to 1.3 metres and occupy the rock crevices surrounding the Cristo statue year-round, making them the site's most photogenic permanent residents. They hunt nocturnally but are reliably visible during the day with their heads protruding from holes, continually opening and closing their mouths to ventilate their gills. The rich invertebrate life colonising the statue provides ideal shelter for juveniles and smaller individuals alongside the adults.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Mediterranean Moray is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.