Green moray (Gymnothorax funebris)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Anguilliformes · Family: Muraenidae · Genus: Gymnothorax.

Accepted name: Gymnothorax funebris · Authority: Ranzani, 1839 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 158583.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Lycodontis funebris (Ranzani, 1839).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=158583 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Gymnothorax funebris. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 250 cm · Common length: 150 cm · Depth range: 1–50 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: eel-like · Vulnerability index: 90 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: public aquariums.

FishBase notes: A benthic and solitary species (Ref. 26340) occurring along rocky shorelines, reefs, and mangroves (Ref. 3255).Usually found shallower than 30 m (Ref. 26938). Due to its large size and aggressiveness, the bites of this moray are particularly dangerous (Ref. 3255). Feeds mainly at night on fish and crustaceans (Ref. 42064). Marketed fresh and salted (Ref. 3255). Large individuals are ciguatoxic (Ref. 3255).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 7546) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnothorax-funebris.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

22,420 georeferenced occurrence records for Gymnothorax funebris are published through GBIF from 45 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 120 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 37 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (18,546); Puerto Rico (2,350); Mexico (297); Brazil (233); Honduras (147).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2403964) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2403964&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=158583 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Gymnothorax funebris Ranzani, 1839 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 195731) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/195731/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2403964) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2403964/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The common name "green moray" is also sometimes used to refer to the yellow moray, G. prasinus. Its green colour comes from a protective layer of mucus secreted by its specialized goblet cells, much like other species of morays. Underneath this mucus layer, the green moray eel is a darker color as can be seen in preserved specimens.

Green morays are typically not eaten and can cause ciguatera fish poisoning. Though the green moray is not considered endangered, moray eels in general are understudied and often undercounted by traditional visual surveys. The green moray is rated as least concern by the IUCN, with no notable threats beyond occasional capture for public aquaria.

Fish and crabs have been reported as gut contents in green morays. Many moray eels cooperate with other fish during hunting, and Brazilian snapper (Lutjanus alexandrei) appear to recruit green morays while foraging among mangroves.

A 2021 survey used acoustic transmitters to track 16 green morays in the mangrove estuary of Salt River Bay, St. Croix. Green morays of this area appear to be mostly nocturnal; 10 were detected more often at night, three in the day, and three were too elusive to analyze reliably. Most eels had a home range averaging 5.8 hectare, with no correlation between an eel's size and range. Two had broader ranges without a clear center of activity, and one moved to an adjacent bay during study.

Six eels moved towards offshore reefs and rocky submarine canyons, exiting the survey area. Each eel's movement took place over a single night in winter or spring, though it was preceded by some broader exploration of their bay of residence. The eels that migrated were significantly larger (but not necessarily more mature) than those which did not.

Source: Wikipedia: Green moray — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_moray (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.