Yellowmargin Moray Eel

The YELLOWMARGIN MORAY EEL (called puhi paka) is typically a yellowish brown, with mottled pattern of darker brown.  There’s always a dark blotch over the gill opening, and their tail is finely edged in yellow or green.  They occupy large holes in reefs, commonly with cleaner shrimp and bicolor anthias.  They attack prey, primarily octopus in broad daylight, and have been known to follow and attack divers carrying food or fish.  Wrasses tend to hover around eels to catch their meal leftovers.  Their Hawaiian name means “fierce eel” and they were revered by the ancient Hawaiians because a live yellowmargin in the canoe commanded respect.  Despite their predatory nature when food is involved, these eels tend to be docile and accept stroking on their heads from divers, but this is absolutely not recommended for your safety, and for the safety and preservation of the animal.  Come dive with Honu Hawaiian Diving to see these guys!