Green Moray Eel

Hello. I am a Green Moray Eel. I live in a cozy little spot in a big, colorful coral reef. My home has lots of hiding places for me to peek out from. You might think I am green, but it is a little secret. My skin is actually dark, but it is covered in a sunny-yellow slime. This slime is like a special raincoat that keeps me safe and healthy. It covers me from my nose to the tip of my tail, making me look bright and green in the water. It is my very own glowing coat.

I like to rest in my crevice with my mouth open. It might look like I am trying to be grumpy, but I am not. Keeping my mouth open is how I breathe. Water flows in and helps me get the oxygen I need. While I rest, my tiny friends come to visit. They are called cleaner shrimp. They are very brave and dance all over my skin. They tickle me a little when they clean me, eating up any little pests. In return for their help, Green moray eels engage in mutualistic relationships with cleaner shrimp and gobies, where the shrimp and gobies remove parasites and dead skin from the eel. We are a great team.

When the sun goes down and it gets dark, I leave my home to hunt for my dinner. I am a night-time hunter. I swim quietly through the reef looking for yummy crabs and small fish to eat. This is my important job in the reef. By eating these animals, I help keep our home healthy and balanced. Everyone in the ocean, from big eels like me to the tiny cleaner shrimp, has a special part to play. We all work together to keep our beautiful underwater home happy and safe.