This Week’s Creature Feature: Mosaic Moray Eel

Creature Feature: Mosaic Moray Eel

Mosaic Moray Eel

This week’s Creature Feature is one intimidating looking fish, the Mosaic Moray Eel.  These fish are most commonly found in the south eastern sea off the coast of Australia.  This eel is a tropic fish however it can be found in temperate waters of northern New Zealand.  During the larval phase of the animal’s lifecycle, the East Australian Current carries a number of species south into New Zealand waters such as the Poor Knights Islands.  Once the larva reach their final destination some species are able to settle, and mature into adults.

  • Scientific name: Enchelycore ramosa
  • Size: Up to 1.8 meter
  • Location: South Eastern Australia, and Northern New Zealand up to 100m (photo taken Poor Knights Island, New Zealand)

Photography Tip:

When photographing any cryptic species of eel, patience is key.  Allowing the critter to become accustomed to your presence will yield better photographic opportunities as the animal comes back out from the rocks.  Eels open and close their mouths to pass water over their gills, and timing this action can allow an image to show a mouth full of teeth, which can make for a striking image.  So when diving take your time, give the eel some breathing room, and wait for your opportunity to snap your shutter.

Gear Recommendation:

Ikelite DS 161 Strobe

Trouble ID’ing fish from your last dive? Pick up a copy of REEF Fish Identification Tropical Pacific

Want to improve your underwater Digital Development?  Try Adobe Lightroom and enroll in my next tutorial course!

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