There are about 200 varieties of morays. They are found in all tropical seas, often in shallow waters. Films like The Deep have given them a bad reputation, but in reality morays are shy and reclusive. They re nocturnal, hunting and swimming mostly in the dark. They ll eat fish, squid, practically anything within reach.
Octopuses are a favorite treat.
A moray can smell an octopus from quite far away and will search a reef until it finds one. This is why aquariums keep the octopus separate from the eels. The moray s hunting behavior is fascinating to watch. They hide and wait for their prey much like a snake does. Morays have rows of small, short, needle-like teeth that angle in toward their throat.