; subclass Actinopterygii, order Anguilliformes)
A large family of marine, eel-like fish that have a slightly compressed, scaleless body, well-developed dorsal and anal fins, but no pectoral or pelvic fins. Many species exhibit colourful markings in the skin. Usually found in cracks and crevices between rocks near the sea-bottom, they can be very aggressive when handled. Muraena helena (Greek moray), 1.1 m, was a food fish well known to the Romans. Some species are very large, e.g. Thyrsoidea macrura (long-tailed reef-eel), 4.1 m, of northern Australia. There are about 100 species, distributed world-wide in tropical to temperate waters.
Subjects: Zoology and Animal Sciences.