Sea fish
Mediterranean moray
Muraena helena
Get to know the species, pick your region, find your spot.
Other names: Müren balığı
- Habitat
- Rocky crevice
- Method
- Night bottom fishing
- Family
- Muraenidae
Choose your region
The information changes with the region you choose.
Where is Mediterranean moray caught?
Explore the regions or go straight to the map.
Aegean Sea fishing spots
Mediterranean fishing spots
North Aegean & Thrace fishing spots
63Central & South Aegean fishing spots
81Ionian Sea fishing spots
38Crete & Libyan Sea fishing spots
23Famagusta–İskele fishing spots
3Güzelyurt Bay fishing spots
2Kyrenia north coast fishing spots
4Karpas Peninsula fishing spots
5Paphos–Limassol south coast fishing spots
16Ayia Napa–Protaras fishing spots
6Akamas–Paphos west coast fishing spots
8Larnaca southeast coast fishing spots
9Sardinian Sea fishing spots
6Tyrrhenian Sea fishing spots
17Adriatic fishing spots
22Ionian Sea fishing spots
3Ligurian Sea fishing spots
1Strait of Sicily fishing spots
6Mediterranean fishing spots
3Balearic Sea fishing spots
10Alboran Sea fishing spots
Strait of Gibraltar fishing spots
2Gulf of Cádiz fishing spots
3Cantabrian Sea fishing spots
5Atlantic Ocean fishing spots
2Adriatic fishing spots
1,086No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
63 fishing grounds
81 fishing grounds
38 fishing grounds
23 fishing grounds
3 fishing grounds
2 fishing grounds
4 fishing grounds
5 fishing grounds
16 fishing grounds
6 fishing grounds
8 fishing grounds
9 fishing grounds
6 fishing grounds
17 fishing grounds
22 fishing grounds
3 fishing grounds
1 fishing ground
6 fishing grounds
3 fishing grounds
10 fishing grounds
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
2 fishing grounds
3 fishing grounds
5 fishing grounds
2 fishing grounds
- Arat Primorje-Gorski Kotar · Otok Losinj
- Arbanasi Zadar
- Artatore Primorje-Gorski Kotar · Otok Losinj
- Baba Šibenik-Knin · Otok Sit
- Babina Dubrovnik-Neretva · Korčula
- Babina Guzica Šibenik-Knin · Otok Kurba Vela
- Babino Polje Dubrovnik-Neretva · Mljet
- Babuljaš Mali Šibenik-Knin · Otok Zut
No fishing ground or region matches your search.
A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.
Aegean Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Mediterranean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
North Aegean & Thrace
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Central & South Aegean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Ionian Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Crete & Libyan Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Famagusta–İskele
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Güzelyurt Bay
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Kyrenia north coast
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Karpas Peninsula
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Paphos–Limassol south coast
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Ayia Napa–Protaras
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Akamas–Paphos west coast
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Larnaca southeast coast
Season and suitable conditions
Recorded all year round in this region; no distinct fishing season shows.
Sardinian Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Tyrrhenian Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Adriatic
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Ionian Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Ligurian Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Strait of Sicily
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Mediterranean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Balearic Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Alboran Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Strait of Gibraltar
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Gulf of Cádiz
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Cantabrian Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Atlantic Ocean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Adriatic
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Season information is no guarantee of a catch.
Best spots in October
By month
Average monthly score of the spots in Turkey (0–100).
- 57 Jan
- 55 Feb
- 55 Mar
- 58 Apr
- 72 May
- 67 Jun
- 46 Jul
- 37 Aug
- 46 Sep
- 64 Oct
- 72 Nov
- 58 Dec
The best spot in each Turkish province, by this month’s score.
- Kocakum Karaburun, İzmir 80/100 Very good
- Günbatımı Plajı Bodrum, Muğla 76/100 Very good
- Tilki Koyu Gömeç, Balıkesir 73/100 Very good
- Deniz Feneri Bozcaada, Çanakkale 73/100 Very good
- Sultaniçe Sahili 2 Enez, Edirne 73/100 Very good
A 0–100 score from season, water temperature, habitat and local records; a general trend, not a guarantee.
Best times of day
When in the day it bites best, month by month.
- Active at night
- Good at night
In October
-
Dawn 55
2 h before sunrise → 0.5 h after
-
Dusk 80
0.5 h before sunset → 2 h after
-
Night Best 95
1 h after sunset → 1 h before sunrise
Moon phase
Effect of the moon on night fishing; the scores compare the phases.
- New moon 85
- First quarter 65
- Full moon 45
- Last quarter 65
Best phase: New moon
Windows across 12 months
| Best times of day | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| Midday | ||||||||||||
| Dusk | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Night | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 |
Windows follow sunrise and sunset; clock times change with place and date. Scores are relative within the month: 100 is the best window of the day.
2 sources · confidence medium
Habitat
Where it lives and in what kind of water: ranges compiled by the research.
Depth
1–801 m
mostly 5–80 m
Water temperature
12.2–25.2 °C
ideal 17.5–22.3 °C
Salinity
Full-strength seawater
32.4–39.3 ‰
Shore types
- Rocky shore
- Breakwater / jetty
- Headland
- Cliff / steep shore
- Harbour mouth
- Reclaimed shore
- Shoal / reef
Bottom
Lives close to the bottom
- Rock
Ranges from FishBase, AquaMaps and the literature; a general tendency, not a hard limit.
Confidence: shore type medium, temperature medium
Bait and tackle suggestions
Recorded baits and fishing techniques.
Bait by month
Baits documented for shore fishing, month by month and by water clarity.
In October
Natural baits
By water clarity
Bottom scent / lateral-line hunter — Searches the bottom with barbels, smell and lateral line. Has the edge in murky water.
- Clear Visibility: over 8 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Live baitfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live or very fresh worm, shrimp, mole crab; small hidden hook; sunset and night first.
- Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Live baitfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Worm and shrimp; fresh mussel.
- Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Live baitfish · Very suitable Usually in this water: Bloodworm, mussel, sardine; worm and squid cocktail; the most productive water.
- Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Live baitfish · Weak Usually in this water: Heavy scent: a cocktail (worm with squid or fish), crab; on the bottom.
- Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Squid · Weak Usually in this water: Oily fish and worm cocktail, crab; big pieces, refreshed often.
12-month bait calendar
- January
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- February
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- March
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- April
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- May
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- June
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- July
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- August
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- September
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- October
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- November
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
- December
- Natural baits: Live baitfish, Squid
This is the usual pattern; the water and weather on the day can change it. Colour is fine-tuning: bait type, size and action come first. Confidence: natural medium, lures low. Colour and presentation guide
Natural baits
Fishing technique
In this region · Aegean Sea
- Natural bait:
- European squid, common octopus, fish flesh; regional support: European sardine / mamun / sülünez
- Lure:
- large soft plastic
- Technique:
- night bottom
In this region · Mediterranean
- Natural bait:
- European squid, common octopus, fish flesh; regional support: European sardine / European squid / shrimp
- Lure:
- large soft plastic
- Technique:
- night bottom
Fishing rules
The regulation holds no separate minimum size or closed season entry for this species. The provisions for Türkiye as a whole apply.
Before you go, check local area and method restrictions.
Species profile
- Scientific name
- Muraena helena
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Order
- Anguilliformes
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Seas
- Aegean Sea, Mediterranean
- Other names
- Müren, Müren balığı
Frequently asked questions
Which seas is Mediterranean moray found in?
In our records Mediterranean moray appears in these seas: Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, North Aegean & Thrace — Greece, Central & South Aegean — Greece, Ionian Sea — Greece, Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece, Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus, Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus, Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus, Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus, Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus, Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus, Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus, Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus, Ligurian Sea — Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy, Adriatic — Italy, Ionian Sea — Italy, Strait of Sicily — Italy, Sardinian Sea — Italy, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Mediterranean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Balearic Sea — Spain, Alboran Sea — Spain, Gulf of Cádiz — Spain, Strait of Gibraltar — Spain, Adriatic — Croatia.
In which months is Mediterranean moray at its peak?
Peak periods by sea: Aegean Sea May–October; Mediterranean April–September; North Aegean & Thrace — Greece March–November; Central & South Aegean — Greece March–November; Ionian Sea — Greece March–November; Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece March–November; Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus all year; Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus all year; Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus all year; Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus all year; Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus all year; Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus all year; Sardinian Sea — Italy June–September; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy June–September; Adriatic — Italy June–September; Ionian Sea — Italy June–September; Ligurian Sea — Italy June–September; Strait of Sicily — Italy June–September; Mediterranean — Spain June–September; Balearic Sea — Spain June–September; Alboran Sea — Spain June–September; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain June–September; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain June–September; Cantabrian Sea — Spain May–August; Atlantic Ocean — Spain May–August; Adriatic — Croatia May–October.
Which bait is Mediterranean moray caught with?
Baits and lures on record: European squid, common octopus, fish flesh, European sardine, mamun, sülünez, large soft plastic, shrimp.
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