{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "moray-eel",
  "name": "Moray Eel",
  "scientificName": "Muraenidae",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "Moray eels are a family of long, snake-like marine fish (Muraenidae) found in coral reefs and rocky crevices, mostly in warm and temperate seas. They swim with an undulating, ribbon-like motion and shelter in holes by day, striking out to catch fish, crustaceans, and octopuses. Large species can reach 3 m (10 ft) and around 15 kg, and many live 10 to 30 years depending on the species.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Actinopterygii",
    "order": "Anguilliformes",
    "family": "Muraenidae",
    "genus": null
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 15,
    "lengthM": 1.5,
    "topSpeedKmh": 12,
    "lifespanYears": 20
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Muraenidae"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (fish, crustaceans, cephalopods)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Coral reefs and rocky crevices"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "10–30 years by species"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "Varies; up to 3 m (10 ft) in large species"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Fast strike from cover"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Varies by species"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Coral reefs and rocky crevices in tropical and temperate seas worldwide.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceans"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Muraenidae.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Muraenidae&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Moray Eel.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moray_eel"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/moray-eel/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/moray-eel/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}