Largehead Moray Eel, Needle-Tooth Snake Moray Eel
Morena Cabezona, Morena Alfiletera
(Uropterygius macrocephalus)

Largehead Moray Eel, Uropterygius macrocephalus: The Largehead Moray Eel has an overall brown coloration with a unique and unusual mottled pattern of pink (as pictured below).

Although the Largehead Moray Eel lacks formal anal, dorsal, and pectoral fins, there is a small skin flap covering the end of the tail which often has a white or yellow coloration. It has a rear nostril positioned at the front of the head over the eyes.

This fish species is found in the first 50 feet of the water column around coral and rocky reefs. It reaches a maximum length of 18 inches.

Due to its unique mottled coloration pattern the Largehead Moray Eel cannot be easily confused with any other fish species.

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

In Mexican fishing waters the Largehead Moray Eel has a limited distribution, being found on both sides of the lower 20 percent of coastal Baja California, along the coast of the Mexican mainland from Guaymas south to Guatemala, and around all of the Mexican oceanic islands.

Members of the Uropterygius Genus have slender bodies that taper significantly toward the end of the tail. The tail is longer than the head and trunk. There are 21 species known globally, of which four reside in Mexican waters. They are night feeders, consuming small fish and invertebrates including crabs, octopi, and shrimp.

The Largehead Moray Eel is one of several moray eels and snake moray eels found in Mexican waters, all belonging to the Muraenidae Family which are known in Mexican fishing areas as morenas.

Largehead Moray Eel fish picture

Largehead Moray Eel, Uropterygius macrocephalus: Caught by hand alive and feisty, well before first light, on the beach above the water line, at Km. 21, Cabo Real, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, on July 28, 2006. This was the morning after a medium sized chubasco which generated big waves and turbulent seas visited the Los Cabos area. Size approximately 9 inches. Identification reconfirmed by Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.

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