The Moraya 



Of these 8 genera only Gymnothorax contains any species 

 of much importance to us. 



The species of Gymnothorax are numerous in our waters. 

 They are the most active and voracious of eels, many of them very 

 pugnacious, and most of them live in shallow water about rocks 

 and reefs. 



The common spotted moray (G. moringa) is found in the 

 West Indies, north to Charleston and Pensacola and south to Brazil. 

 It is the most abundant eel in the West Indies, reaches a length of 

 2 to 3 feet, and is used extensively for food. 



The conger eel of California (G. mordax] is found from Point 

 Conception to Cerros Island. It is abundant about the Santa Bar- 

 bara Island and is remarkable for its ferocity. It is a food-fish of 

 some importance. 



There are about 15 other species of Gymnothorax in our 

 waters, but none of them possesses much food value. 



Enchelycore has one species, common in the West Indies, 

 Pythonichthys, Rabula, Echidna, Uropterygius, and Channomurcena, 

 have each from i to 4 species, in our tropical waters. None is of 

 much food-value. 



