Mediterranean moray
Muraena helena
Sighting evidence at Kallithea Springs Reef, Rhodes
Photo: frahome · CC BY-NC
The thermal ledges and freshwater-eroded cavities at Kallithea create an unusually high density of moray dens, with individuals of different sizes partitioning shelter by crevice diameter. Muraena helena is ectothermic and the slight thermal gradient from the springs appears to concentrate them in the 8 to 15 m band where water temperature is most stable year-round. Cleaner shrimp of the genus Lysmata frequently work the moray dens here, providing classic cleaning-station behaviour observable at close range.
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.