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.
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Notes on diving the Maldives...
Further Reading
Coral Reef Fishes, Indo-Pacific and Caribbean
, by Ewald Lieske and Robert Myers, Harper Collins
Atlas of the Maldives: A Reference for Travellers, Divers and Sailors, by Tim Godfrey,(2007)
The Underwater Photographer: Digital and Traditional Techniques by Martin Edge, Paperback, 536 pages (2009)
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More Moray Eel Photos are on page 2 of our gallery and in our Google+ Moray Eel album...
