That's A Moray Monday: The Cinco de Mayo Edition

Try as I might to find a Mexican endemic moray species for Cinco de Mayo, the best I could come up with is an eel with a heavy population density in Mexican waters. So grab some tequila añejo or an icy cerveza and help me toast this celebratory moray. ¡Viva Mexico!

Jewel Moray
Muraena lentiginosa

The Jewel moray is truly a jewel in appearance. The species has an overall glossy purplish brown coloration but is covered with numerous, dazzling, small yellow circular spots along the length of the body (computer-generated detail of spots at left). The distribution of the Jewel moray eel is limited to the lower two-thirds of the Sea of Cortez, along the coast of mainland Mexico and around most of Mexico's islands. It is absent from along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula. The species is also reported in Peru as well as the Galapagos Islands.

Reaching a length of up to 61 cm. (2 ft.), the Jewel moray is characterized by its somewhat compressed head and jaws and slightly tapering body. The jaws are very narrow, sharp-pointed, and equal. Teeth are compressed at the sides, very sharp, slightly hooked, and pointing backwards. The Jewel moray sports two tubular extensions above the eyes and two at the extremity of the snout.

Jewel morays are commonly found in shallow water reef areas. It remains concealed in rocky crevices during the day venturing out into the open at night to feed on crustaceans and small fish.