In rare cases the brown and gold blend to appear as a solid shade or even reverse patterns with a gold background covered by dark specks. Morays inhabit shallow inshore reefs and rocky coastlines. Their golden chainlike patterns camouflage their movements as they slither through sun drenched tide pools in search of crabs, their favorite food. Often, a receding surf leaves the hunter momentarily stranded out of water between waves. Both the Viper Moray and Chestnut Moray can be distinguished by arching jaws that exhibit a nasty looking set of teeth even when their mouths remain shut.
Vipers reach a length of slightly over two feet.
Their stocky bodies vary from dark brown to maroon and occasionally display a light mottled pattern. However, their menacing mouths easily set them apart from other species. Chestnuts, that reach only a foot in length, also have arching mouths. These small, slender eels can be differentiated from Vipers by a series of white spots that ring tiny pores lining each jaw. Snake Eel S nake Eels, from the family Ophichthidae, are frequently misidentified as morays.