Undulated moray

The undulated moray can easily be identified by its yellow head and brown spots covering its body. It is also lined by white borders forming similar to a chain link. [2] They use their large mouths to pump water to the gills, while the gill cover is a small hole to protect the delicate gills. Like most eels, they lack the pectoral and pelvic fins to make it easier for them to move through the crevices of reefs.[2] Their other fins are fitted with thicker skin to protect from sharp reef.[2] They move in a S-shape to be able to move back and forth to also aid in movement through reefs.[3] Their teeth are shaped to be curved backwards so they can hold onto their prey and easily move the prey backwards for digestion.[3]

Gymnothorax undulatus can be found in the Pacific as well as East Africa.[2] Most of the time they can be found in reefs of lagoons and seawards or in reef-flats. [4] They like to shelter within reefs and can be found from depths of 1 to 50 meters .The undulated moray is mostly nocturnal as they hide in reefs during the day and hunt for food at night.[3]

The undulated eel and several other species of eels (puhi) are featured in many Hawaiian stories as common ʻaumakua, thought to be ancestors protecting families.[5] This eel is known as laumilo or "milo leaf" from the way it swims similar to blown leaves of the milo tree, it itself is considered a guardian for the tree according to the Kumulipo.[6][7] This eel was also a common form that Kū, the Hawaiian god of war, would take to interact with humans.[5]

For many native Hawaiian communities eels were an important food source and used for special dishes when leaders had special guests,[5] this particular eel is deemed "highly relished".[8]

• Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2006). "Gymnothorax undulatus" in FishBase. June 2006 version.

• Fishes of Australia : Gymnothorax undulatus
• Photos of Undulated moray on Sealife Collection