Spotted moray eel

Photo: Kevin Bryant · CC BY-NC-SA

The spotted moray is one of the most common Caribbean moray species, easily identified by its cream body covered in irregular brown spots. Highly abundant on wrecks where the structural complexity of corridors, pipes, and holds replicates the crevice habitat morays prefer. They are primarily nocturnal, ambushing sleeping fish and octopus, but on the River Taw they are active during daylight hours due to the enclosed space and regular food availability from the artificial reef ecosystem. Important prey for large sharks and a critical part of wreck food webs.