Giant Moray Eel Gymothorax javanicus in the Aroa Aroa Lagoonarium Marine Reserve "Raui". While looking like a snake, it is in fact a fish and the largest of th

Giant Moray Eel Gymothorax javanicus in the Aroa Aroa Lagoonarium Marine Reserve "Raui". While looking like a snake, it is in fact a fish and the largest of the 80+ Moray Eel family! They feed on fish (even stone fish), octopus, crustaceans and other eels, generally hunting at night using their excellent sense of smell and ability to pursue prey into crevices and holes. They spend day time relaxing in their den with their head sticking out. They are unique in that they have two sets of jaws to clamp down on and tear prey. Giant Moray Eels are predated on by barracuda and other large fish. They will very rarely attack humans unless provoked. Moray Eels undergo a sex change during growth, changing from male to female. Because they are at the top of the lagoon food chain, such a large specimen is indicative of the recovering of the Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve, however, it also means that they are likely to contain ciguatoxic making them dangerous for humans to eat. This video was shot directly in front of The Rarotongan Beach Resort and Sanctuary Rarotonga - on the beach.