The fimbriated moray eel grows up to 80cm in length. Its serpentine shape body has an undulating pattern of lines that form a pattern down its body. The head is a light green colour and the body is a light yellow colour. The head and body are covered in irregular black spots and there are distinctive white marks in the corner of the mouth. Behind the head there is a slight thickening and the head is small compared to other moray eels with proportionally large eyes located forward. Fimbriated moray eels have a second set of jaws known as pharyngeal jaws in their throat which may partially account for their thickened neck.

The mouth has large teeth for tearing flesh rather than grinding. They do not have pectoral or pelvic fins and the dorsal fin runs the length of the body.