Spotted Moray Eel

Look for an elongated body emerging from reef holes or moving with a smooth, ribbon-like wave.

Often territorial around a chosen crevice, it watches passing divers and emerges farther when hunting after dark.

A flexible body lets it hunt deep inside cracks that most reef predators cannot enter.

Remain outside the shelter, keep fingers clear and use a steady light rather than pushing a camera into the opening.

It was first named by John Richardson in 1845.

Inspect reef cracks, wreck openings, rocky ledges and rubble fields, particularly during dusk and night dives.