Wolf eel edible11/3/2022 ![]() ![]() Unlike other true eels, congers have pectoral fins. These large, nocturnal eels have sharp, but diminutive teeth that they use on small, drowsing fish and crustaceans. The snowflake moray specializes in sucking crabs out of their hiding places and then crushing them between its molar-like teeth. Morays with blunt teeth, like the zebra and snowflake species, prefer crustaceans. Sharp-toothed morays will eat fish, and occasionally crustaceans, but one of their favorite foods is the octopus, or known in Hawaiian as he’e. Those gaping jaws are pumping oxygen-rich air over the gills from the inside. Hence, the moray evolved into a mouth breather. Small openings protect the fragile gills but make it harder to breathe. Gills are delicate and prone to ripping on coral and rock. Opening and closing their mouths isn’t done to intimidate – it’s an adaptation that allows them to breathe. These colorful eels range from the many diminutive species less than 24 inches in length to the giant moray, which can exceed 6 feet! With more than 40 known species, moray eels have one of the most diverse families of any Hawaiian fish. Here are some of the most common types of eels you’ll see in Hawaii. They lack the scales and pelvic and pectoral fins that could get snagged on rocks or hinder them while burrowing backward into the sand. These sinuous fish are perfectly built for living in their reef environment. That’s when their excellent sense of smell more than makes up for their poor eyesight. Of these, some of the shyest are the eels, believe it or not! These long, graceful swimmers are commonly found resting in rocky crevices or buried in the sand during the day, and on the hunt at night. Hawaiian waters are home to an awe-inspiring variety of colorful and exotic fish. ![]()
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