This group includes a variety of species that live on or close to the bottom often in close association with rocky outcrops at Gray's Reef. Many are cryptically colored or secretive predators that use the reef as cover to hide from predators or prey. Others are night-active feeders that only use the reef as a refuge during daylight hours. Others prefer sandy bottoms but are often seen near rocky outcrops. Coloration in this species is highly variable from almost white or orange with blotches, to almost black.
Lines are sometimes visible along the sides and back.
It is effectively camouflaged as it clings nearly motionless by its grasping tail to sea whips, hard corals and other reef growth, It feeds on tiny crustaceans. Nova Scotia to Argentina. This genus is distinguished by tubular extensions of both the anterior and posterior nostrils. Despite their fearsome appearance most morays are nocturnal predators that are docile and shy, only their heads projecting from crevices during daylight hours. Massachusetts to eastern Gulf of Mexico.