Paintspotted moray

The paintspotted moray, also called the geometric or peppered moray, is a marine eel (family Muraenidae) from the Indo-Pacific. It has a slender greenish to yellowish body finely peppered with dark speckles, and the ever-open mouth full of teeth characteristic of morays, which it uses to breathe rather than to threaten. It is a nocturnal predator that spends the day hidden in rockwork, emerging to hunt at night. It is relatively peaceful toward fish too large to eat but will consume small fish and crustaceans, and should be housed with appropriately sized tankmates. It needs a secure aquarium with ample live rock and caves, plus a tightly sealed lid, as morays are accomplished escape artists. A carnivore, it feeds on fish and crustacean flesh offered a few times weekly. Its hardiness makes it manageable for intermediate marine keepers who can secure the tank.