Fangtooth Moray Identification Guide
Identify the fangtooth moray by its permanently gaping jaws and long, visible curved teeth.
Read the full Fangtooth Moray encyclopedia entry →
Key identification features
- Long, curved fang-like teeth so large the jaws cannot fully close, leaving the mouth permanently agape
- Mottled rusty-orange to reddish-brown body with irregular paler blotches
- Tubular, slightly flared anterior nostrils
- Robust, elongated head compared to the slimmer body
- No dorsal fin ornamentation or nasal tentacles
- Typical length around 65-90 cm
- Continuous dorsal-tail-anal fin margin with no visible pectoral fins
Common look-alikes
- Dragon moray - separated by ornate horn-like nasal tentacles above the eyes and a bolder white-and-orange blotched or banded pattern, features the fangtooth moray lacks entirely
- Honeycomb moray - separated by a pale body covered in dark polygonal honeycomb-style spots rather than the fangtooth moray's uniformly mottled rusty coloring
Where you'll see one
Fangtooth morays inhabit rocky reefs, caves, and crevices of the eastern Atlantic, including the Mediterranean and waters around the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, typically from shallow rocky shorelines down to moderate depths. They stay wedged in holes by day with only the head and open jaws visible.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recognize a fangtooth moray at a glance?
Its jaws never fully close because the teeth are too long, so a visibly gaping, tooth-filled mouth on a rusty mottled eel is the clearest sign.
How is a fangtooth moray different from a dragon moray?
The dragon moray has raised, horn-like nasal tubes and a bolder white-blotched pattern, while the fangtooth moray has plain tubular nostrils and a more uniform rusty mottling.