Goldentail Moray Eel

Gymnothorax miliaris

The goldentail moray eel (Gymnothorax miliaris), also called the banana eel, is a small to medium-sized moray reaching up to 70 cm, though most individuals are around 40 cm. Its body is dark brown to purple-black covered densely with bright golden-yellow spots, and the tail tip is distinctively golden. Found throughout the western Atlantic from Florida and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, it inhabits coral reefs, rocky areas, and rubble zones at depths of 1 to 60 meters. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and octopuses, hunting primarily at night. This species is often more visible and photogenic than larger moray species, frequently peering out from small holes in the reef with its speckled face. Its compact size and stunning golden-spotted coloration make it a favorite subject for Caribbean macro photography.