Interesting Eel Facts

Hardly I dive goes by in Phuket without seeing an eel. They are at virtually every know dive site. Here are some interesting fact about them. Here are some interesting eel facts for you.

Facts

There is over 200 different species. Common eels in Phuket are the Giant Moray, Honeycomb moray, Zebra Moray, Ribbon Eel, Garden Eel and Fibriated Moray, White Eyed Moray.

The biggest eel is the giant moray that can grow as long as 3 metres and weigh up to 30kg. The biggest being the giant moray.

A baby eel is called elver.

They can live between 3 and 36 years of age.

Fimbriated Moray Eel photographed while scuba diving in Phuket Thailand

Eels can travel up to 4000 miles to find a mate. They like the water temperature to be warn and the food source to be plentiful. They wrap with their mate for a few hours. The female release up to 10,000 eggs that develop into larva living as a part of the plankton for up to a year.

They have male and female organs.

Moray Eel Racha Yai Scuba Diving Day Tip Phuket Aussie Divers Phuket

Two jaws!!

They have two sets of jaws. The second set of jaws are called Pharyngeal jaws that also have teeth. When attacking prey the pharyngeal jaws move forwarding and then drag their prey back in to their throat and stomach. Their teeth are razor sharp and face in different directions.

They can secret mucus over their scaleless skin. Their skin is quite thick and in some species the mucus is toxic.

They can be found at depths from one metre to 50 metres.

They spend most of their time hiding in rock crevices and caves waiting to attack unsuspecting prey.

Honeycomb Moray Eel Bonsoon Wreck Scuba Diving Liveaboard Phuket Thailand

Although the appear snake like they are not a reptile and are a true fish.

They can be found all around the world but do prefer warmer waters (don’t we all?).

Eels can be found on our scuba diving day trips, PADI Open Water Course, PADI Discover Scuba Diving and the PADI Advanced Open Water Course.

Book a luxury day trip to Racha Noi and Racha Yai

Aussie Divers Phuket> Marine Life> Interesting Eel Facts

By Darren Gaspari

Proud owner and active PADI Gold Course Director of Aussie Divers Phuket, a professional and awarded PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Scuba Diving Centre. Member of the PADI Advisory Board for the eLearning modules 2019 and 2020.

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Posted in Marine Life on August 19, 2018.

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