Trivia question for Jun-05-2011

Carter likes watching these guys and especially the fact that they come in so many different colors.  Lets see how he does with his trivia.  These guys are known for their vicious bite.

This particular type of eel is responsible for causing ciguatera fish poisoning in humans; they account for more than 10% of deadly cases.  The dorsal fin extends from just behind the head along the back and joins seamlessly with the caudal and anal fins. Most species lack pectoral and pelvic fins, adding to their serpentine appearance. Their eyes are rather small; they rely on their highly developed sense of smell, lying in wait to ambush prey.

So here are Carter’s questions:  Tell us what this animal is and also tell us how Ocean Acidification is effecting them.  Also, tell how these guys got their name.

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations to Denver Thomas Cayetano for getting the species identified correctly. Thanks also to everyone else for sending in your comments. The fish we featured was the Moray Eeel. Moray eels are cosmopolitan eels of the family Muraenidae. The approximately 200 species in 15 genera are almost exclusively marine, but several species are regularly seen in brackish water and a few, for example the freshwater moray can sometimes be found in freshwater.

These fish are directly affected by the negative impacts of Ocean Acidification via a loss of habitat.  They primarily live among coral reefs.  The increased levels of carbon in our atmosphere eventually ends up falling back down in our oceans which disturbs the pH levels.  Increased pH levels cause our oceans to become acidic, which is directly responsible for killing off coral reefs and has been proven to actually stunt the growth of most shell fish.  The more we use fossil fuels, the more carbon we spew in our atmosphere, the more these amazing eels will continue to loose their natural habitat.

And as for how these guys got their name, they were named after a wealthy Roman; the genus name ‘Muranea’ commemorates a Roman, Licinius Muranena, from the end of the second century, who kept moray eels in captivity as a sign of his wealth.  Here is more on these eels: Moray Eel

Thanks for playing along 😉