Pebbletooth moray – Echidna peli

Pebbletooth moray, Pebbletooth Moray - Echidna peli, Echidna peli

The Pebbletooth Moray, scientifically known as Echidna peli, is a fascinating species of moray eel found in the vast expanse of the world’s oceans. It is a formidable predator with distinctive physical features and a fascinating life history.

Description & Characteristics

Echidna peli is a relatively large moray eel, reaching a maximum size of 100.0 cm. Its body is elongated and serpentine, with a distinctive, slightly flattened head. The Pebbletooth Moray is easily recognizable by its prominent, pebble-like teeth, which are perfectly adapted for crushing and grinding its prey. Its coloration is typically a mottled brown or grayish-brown, often with darker blotches or stripes, providing effective camouflage against the rocky environments it calls home.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Pebbletooth Moray, Echidna peli, is a benthic species, meaning it lives on or near the seafloor. It is a common inhabitant of rocky reefs, caves, and crevices, often seeking shelter in these environments. The distribution of Echidna peli spans a broad range of marine zones, including the intertidal zone, the shallow subtidal, and deeper reef habitats. These moray eels are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region, making them a familiar sight to divers and marine enthusiasts.

Taxonomy

The species Echidna peli belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Anguilliformes, and Family: Muraenidae. These classifications reflect the evolutionary relationships of this fascinating creature, placing it within a diverse group of fish characterized by their elongated bodies, often featuring fins reduced or absent, and their predominantly predatory lifestyle.

Feeding

The Pebbletooth Moray, Echidna peli, is a fierce predator, primarily feeding on a variety of crustaceans and invertebrates. Its diet includes crabs, krill, mysis, rock shrimps, and edible crabs, all of which it crushes and grinds using its specialized teeth. The Pebblestone Moray’s predatory behavior, coupled with its powerful jaws, makes it a formidable hunter in its rocky reef habitat.

Associated Species

Image References

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