California Moray Eel (Gymnothorax mordax)

The California Moray Eel lives in the moonlit kelp forests of the eastern Pacific. Their color palette ranges from bronze to olive green and can grow up to 60 in long, although most average around 24 in. Despite their size, they are shy and spend their days hidden in rocky alcoves, away from other marine life.

At nightfall, the California Moray Eel becomes active and relies on its sense of smell to locate small fish or various invertebrates. It creates a cloud of slime to trap and paralyze its victim against the reef or kelp.

Additionally, the eel starts life as a female and becomes a male as it matures through a phenomenon called protogyny. 

The California Moray is a primarily solitary species that mainly interacts with others during mating.