Photo copyright Tim Nicholson.
Taken on Kuredu House Reef, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
Giant Moray Eel, Gymnothorax javanicus (Bleeker)

The largest of the moray eels, growing up to 3 m. Quite common and always interesting to observe. Feeds primarily on fish, occasionally on crustaceans and octopus. Morays live in holes and generally hunt by night. You may see them rhythmically opening and closing their mouths. They do this to maintain a respiratory current past the gills. Morays undergo a sex change during growth, changing from male to female.

Notes on diving the Maldives...

Further Reading

Photo Guide to Fishes of the Maldives by Rudie H. Kuiter, 256 pages (1998)
Coral Reef Fishes, Indo-Pacific and Caribbean , by Ewald Lieske and Robert Myers, Harper Collins
Dive Maldives: A Guide to the Maldives Archipelago, by Tim Godfrey, 192 pages (2006)
The Underwater Photographer: Digital and Traditional Techniques by Martin Edge, Paperback, 424 pages (2006)
Adobe Photoshop for Underwater Photographers by J & S Drafahl, 224 pages (2007)

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