Mediterranean moray

Mediterranean moray ( Muraena helena )

The Mediterranean moray ( Muraena helena ) is a species of moray eels ( Muraenidae ), which is common in many parts of the North-East Atlantic from the British Isles to the coast of Senegal, as well as in the Mediterranean.

Appearance

The Mediterranean moray eel has an elongated and laterally strongly flattened, eel-like body and can reach a total length of 1.5 meters. The basic color is dark gray to dark brown with a light marbling, which is very fine particularly on the front body. The skin is rough and without scales. Behind the head begins, formed as Flossensaum dorsal fin in the rear end of the revolving tail and then goes to the body without interruption to the body bottom in the up over the midsection extending the anal fin. The small pectoral fins sit at the sides of the body behind the gills.

Striking is the large mouth, which gets to the gills. The long and pointed teeth are curved backwards to hold grasped prey better, also the Mediterranean moray, like other eels developed a mechanism in which attack the pharyngeal teeth when biting forward and the prey so when closing the mouth in the pull throat. The small gill openings are not protected by the operculum.

Dissemination

The Mediterranean moray is widespread in many parts of the coast of the North-East Atlantic from the British Isles to the coast of Senegal, as well as in the Mediterranean. They also lived on the coasts of the Canary Islands and the Azores. In the North and the Baltic Sea it is missing, however.

Way of life

The Mediterranean moray feeds mainly on large crustaceans, fish and cephalopods, which they captured as lurking predators or by active search. Most of the time she spends the day in crevices and caves of the rocky coastline, its main activity is in the twilight and night hours. The animals are from areas and are very often site- faithful.

The eggs are released in the shallow water into the open waters. The Rogner spawn up to 60,000 eggs that drive as well as the later hatching from their leaf-like larvae in the flow.

Man and Moray

Moray eels are often classified as aggressive and belligerent, as well they should produce a poison that harms the people. In cornered moray eels defend themselves by biting, which can actually cause wounds due to their powerful jaws and sharp teeth. A poison they do not own, however. Only the skin mucus or entered the oral flora toxins from the food (especially for carrion ) can enter the wound and cause there as a foreign protein allergic reactions or secondary infections. In ancient Rome, the Mediterranean moray was held in large numbers and particularly valued food fish. With its culture, the ancient authors connect a number of anecdotes, in which often the extravagance of some holder is discussed. Also, the large amount of short-term deliverable animals is a recurrent aspect. Cassius Dio reported that a wealthy Roman, Publius Vedius Pollio, to culinary delights held in a Moray piscina and, if necessary, also fed with the meat punishable by slaves.