Moray Eel
Captivating Reef Dwellers
![](https://cdn.divessi.com/cached/Wildlife_Moray_Eel_Alamy-WaterFrame.jpg/1600.jpg)
One of the most fascinating fish on the reef, moray eels come in nearly every size and color from the tiny, bright blue ribbon eel, the smallest averaging only 25 cm long, to the black speckled giant moray which can grow up to 4 meters in length! In fact, there are nearly 200 different species. Most morays are marine dwelling fish, but several species have been seen in brackish water, and just a few are found in fresh water. They are clearly distinguishable from the other reef fish with their long, slithering bodies, pointy snouts full of sharp teeth, and long dorsal fins that run the entire length of their bodies. No matter the species, these animals are always an exciting site to see while scuba diving.
They can live in both tropical and temperate waters but are mostly found inhabiting coral reefs in warm seas all throughout the world. If you are diving on a warm water reef, chances are there is a moray eel somewhere nearby, you just have to find it. They are usually seen with their heads poking out from the reef and their mouths oscillating open and closed, a behavior often times mistaken as aggressiveness, but is actually the way in which they keep water pumping past their gills for respiration. If you have always wanted to dive with moray eels, check out all of the dive sites around the world on the map below where they have been seen.
Popular dive sites
![Le Casier Nord](https://cdn.divessi.com/cached/divesites/70/27/68/images/6643692079d4a_702768_716307.png/200.jpg)
Le Casier Nord
1 Logged dives • 2 Sightings The Casier dive site is made of coralligen reefs of different sizes, 2 being more isolated than the others direction south-west. This site is located west from the submarine Brescou Rock, between 18 and 19m deep.France
![Fukashima Island](https://cdn.divessi.com/cached/websiteFiles/8_mydiveguide/default-dive-sites-2023/Dive_Site_10-Mares.jpg/200.jpg)
Fukashima Island
1 Logged dives • 2 Sightings Fukashima, the southernmost island in Oita Prefecture, is a small island with a population of about 30 people, located about 9 km south of Kamae Port. There are nearly 100 cats on the island, but most of them are not domestic cats, but island cats. Two islands, one in the south and the other in the north, are connected by a central sandbar that looks like a gourd from the air. You may even encounter dolphins and turtles while traveling on the island. Underwater, you’ll find dynamic terrain, beautiful coral reefs and colorful soft coral beds.Japan
![Passe en S #5B](https://cdn.divessi.com/cached/websiteFiles/8_mydiveguide/default-dive-sites-2023/Dive_Site_03-Scubapro.jpg/200.jpg)
Passe en S #5B
3 Logged dives • 4 Sightings This site is a beautiful valley of white sand with a few coral blocks here and there. The contrast between the rock and the bright white sand on good days is magnificent to observe.France
![Grotto / Cueva Gisbert](https://cdn.divessi.com/cached/divesites/31/07/07/images/5ece313539e60_310707_711015.png/200.jpg)
Grotto / Cueva Gisbert
3 Logged dives • 4 Sightings After 20 minutes navigating up the coast, we reach the Cueva Gisbert. At the 12 meters deep entrance you will find a 120-meter-long grotto. At the end of the grotto, the water is 1.5 meters deep and you can see bats on the walls. A light is absolutely necessary.Spain
![Baix De Naix](https://cdn.divessi.com/cached/websiteFiles/8_mydiveguide/default-dive-sites-2023/Dive_Site_01-Mares.jpg/200.jpg)