yellow-edged moray
Gymnothorax flavimarginatus
Large moray of surf zones and reefs in the eastern Pacific, yellowish and dark-spotted. There are reports of ciguatera, so be careful when eating it.
Also called: moreia-de-borda-amarela, morena de borde amarillo, yellow-edged moray
- maximum
- 240 cm
- depth
- 0–150 m
who is the yellow-edged moray
The yellowmargin moray belongs to the family Muraenidae and reaches 240 cm. It has an eel-like body, yellowish and densely marked with dark brown, and reddish eyes. It lives in coral or rocky areas, from reef flats to outer reefs and along surf zones, from 0 to 150 m, and feeds on cephalopods, fish and crustaceans. It is solitary and curious, and is often seen with its head out of its hole. It shows up at the reef after a fish has been wounded by a spear, as it is very sensitive to the signals from injured fish. It occurs in the eastern Pacific and the Indo-Pacific, where it is eaten in some regions.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the yellow-edged moray; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- Juveniles are sometimes bright yellow, with brown spots.
identification
Moray with an elongated, compressed body and yellowish color densely marked with dark brown. It has reddish eyes, a grayish-purple front of the head, and yellow-green fin edges. The gill opening lies within a black patch, which helps identify it. Juveniles are sometimes bright yellow with brown spots. It is solitary and is usually seen with its head out of its hole.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America there are records in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia, and in the eastern Pacific the species reaches the Galapagos. It also occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Habitat: Surf zones and coral and rocky areas, from reef flats to outer reefs, from 0 to 150 m.
rules for the yellow-edged moray
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
There are reports of ciguatera, so the main care is with eating it. Morays bite when handled: do not put your hand near the mouth and release it with pliers.
in the kitchen
It is eaten in some parts of the Indo-Pacific, but there are reports of ciguatera, so care is advised.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00035, b = 3.36; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Gymnothorax flavimarginatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Gymnothorax flavimarginatusNames by country and language.
