Mysterious and misunderstood, eels are fascinating reef residents who peek from coral crevices and play a vital role in keeping the reef ecosystem in balance. Far more interesting than they look!
Moray eels look intimidating â but that open-mouthed pose is simply how they breathe, pumping water across their gills. They are shy, mostly nocturnal hunters that control reef fish and crustacean populations. Some moray eels even cooperate with grouper fish on coordinated hunts, making them some of the most intelligent reef predators known to science.
Moray eels have two sets of jaws â a second pharyngeal jaw shoots forward to pull prey inward.
Garden eels live in large colonies, each buried in a separate sandy burrow, swaying with the current to catch plankton.
Ribbon eels change sex as they grow â born black and male, they turn blue, then brilliant yellow when female.
