Moray Eel

Photo: Luis P. B. · CC BY-NC

Giant moray eels occupy crevices throughout South Reef's coral bommie field, reaching lengths of up to 3 metres and living in loose mutualistic association with cleaner shrimps that groom their skin and gills. They are ambush predators of fish and cephalopods, most active at dusk and dawn, but reliably visible during daylight hours with their heads extended from rocky lairs. Their gaping mouth behaviour is a respiratory action, not a threat display, and relaxed divers can observe them at very close quarters.