Fascinating Facts on Moray Eels and Conger Eels

Moray Eels…

… are not related to snakes (reptiles), although they resemble them, but are true fish

… are distant relatives of the eel

… have weak eyesight, but their sense of smell is highly developed

… constantly open their mouths, which exposes their sharp teeth and can seem like a threatening behaviour, but that is in fact the way they breathe

… have two sets of jaws — the outer, visible jaws, and the pharyngeal jaws hidden inside their throats, which help them in grabbing and tearing their food

… don’t have scales, but their bodies are covered in slimy coating instead, which can be poisonous in some species

… have bodies covered in slimy coating, which can be posionous in some species

… are carnivores and feed on sich, crabs, cephalopods and molluscs

… catch prey by grabbing them from ambush and then wrapping their bodies around it

… are prey to other predators

… can release up to 10,000 eggs

Conger Eels…

… is the largest fish of the eel group, it can reach 3 metres in length and over 100 kg in weight!

… are a kind of fish and relatives of the eel, just like the Moray Eels

… females are longer and heavier than the males

… spend days on the seabed, usually in holes and crevices in the rocks, and come out to hunt during the night

… inhabit sandy and rocky areas, during the day they are mostly hidden in holes and crevices, and come out to hunt during the night

… spawn at great depths, over 2000 m

… reach sexual maturity at 5 to 15 years and die after spawning

… have poisonous blood

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