Spottail Moray Eel, Equatorial Moray Eel
Morena Cola Pintada
(Gymnothorax equatorials)

Spottail Moray Eel, Gymnothorax equatorials: The Spottail Moray Eel has an overall light brown color and its body is covered with white spots. It has serrated “shark like” teeth.

The key to identification of the Spottail Moray Eel is a long and slender tail with rectangular spots toward the end that are larger than the diameter of the eyes.

The Spottail Moray Eel is found in the first 400 feet of the water column over soft sandy bottoms and it reaches a maximum length of 2.5 feet.

The Spottail Moray Eel can be confused with the Many Spotted Moray Eel, Gymnothorax phalarus (thick tail with spots that are smaller than the diameter of the eyes).

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

In Mexican fishing waters the Spottail Moray Eel is limited to the Sea of Cortez and along the Mexican coastal mainland south to Guatemala. It is absent from along the Pacific side of Baja California and from around Mexico's oceanic islands.

The Spottail Moray Eel is member of the Muraenidae Family which in Mexico fishing areas are known as morenas.

Spottail Moray Eel picture

Spottail Moray Eel picture

Spottail Moray Eel picture

Spottail Moray Eel: Caught while fishing with Captain Javier in January 2010 off Point Palmilla, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size 54.5 cm; Head 45 percent. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow.

Spottail Moray Eel Fish picture 1

Spottail Moray Eel Fish picture 2

Spottail Moray Eel, Gymnothorax equatorials: A rare catch while fishing made with Capt. Pata in the panga Salomé, in 78-degree, 150-foot deep water, in December 2006, utilizing a Sabiki Rig, 15 miles south of La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size, approximately 18 inches. This fish had partially consumed a 5-inch Bighead Sand Perch, Diplectrum euryplectrum, which had been caught first. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.

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