Yellow-edged Moray

The yellow-edged moray is a big, heavy-bodied eel patterned in speckled brown and gold, with a yellowish or greenish margin along the rear of the dorsal fin and a dark blotch around the gill opening. It is one of the more commonly seen morays on KwaZulu-Natal reefs, sheltering by day in caves, ledges and coral holes with only its head exposed.

At night it hunts fish, octopus and crustaceans across the reef, and its constant gaping to pump water over the gills can look threatening but is simply breathing. It is not aggressive if left alone, but the powerful jaws and backward-pointing teeth can cause a serious bite, so keep hands clear of occupied holes and never attempt to feed or handle one.