The Painted eel, commonly known as the Painted moray (Gymnothorax pictus), is a slender, vividly patterned eel found in tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific waters, often inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. While not a primary target of large-scale commercial fisheries, painted eels are occasionally harvested for local consumption and the aquarium trade. The top countries involved in the fishing and export of painted eels include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, where small-scale artisanal fishers collect them using traps or hand nets. These countries have established local markets for moray eels and, to a lesser extent, export them to meet the demand from specialty seafood restaurants and aquarium enthusiasts worldwide. The painted eel fishery remains relatively minor compared to other eel species, such as the Japanese or European eel, but it holds cultural and economic significance in coastal communities across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cyprus | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.