Fish
Slender Giant Moray
Strophidon sathete
An extremely long, ribbon-thin moray that lurks in muddy estuaries and reef holes along the KZN coast.
Also known as eel(slender giant)(moray), gangetic moray, thyrsoidea macrura
- Typical size
- Commonly 1-2 m, occasionally longer
- Habitat
- Estuaries, harbours and muddy reef
- Depth
- Shallows to about 40 m
The slender giant moray is one of the longest of all eels, with a remarkably thin, drab brown to grey body that can reach several metres in length. Its head is small relative to its body, and the jaws carry needle-like teeth. It favours turbid, soft-bottomed habitats such as estuaries, harbours and muddy reef edges in warm KwaZulu-Natal waters.
Like other morays it is a nocturnal ambush predator, taking fish and crustaceans from the mouth of its burrow. It is shy and rarely fully exposed, usually showing only its head as it gapes to breathe. Give it room, as the teeth can inflict a nasty wound, and note that it is far more likely to withdraw than to advance.