Fish of Koh Tao: Your Guide to What You’ll See While Diving with Chalok Reef Divers
Introduction
This is the fourth installment in our blog series exploring the vibrant and diverse marine life around Koh Tao. In this part, we’ll introduce even more captivating marine creatures, from graceful batfish to the intriguing moray eels. Each dive reveals something new and exciting beneath the waves!
Longfin Batfish
About: The Longfin Batfish is an elegant swimmer, easily recognized by its rounded body and long, flowing fins. These fish are often curious about divers and may swim closer to investigate.
How Common? Fairly common, particularly at deeper dive sites with open water.
Fun Fact: Juvenile Longfin Batfish look completely different, with darker coloration and white stripes to help them blend into their environment.
White Eyed Moray Eel
About: The White Eyed Moray Eel is a master of hide-and-seek, usually found peeking out from crevices in the reef. Despite their snake-like appearance, these eels are harmless to divers and fascinating to watch.
How Common? Fairly common, especially during day dives when they’re resting in their dens.
Fun Fact: White Eyed Moray Eels open and close their mouths constantly—this isn’t aggression but a way to pump water over their gills.
Yellow Boxfish
About: The Yellow Boxfish is a tiny, cube-shaped fish with bright yellow coloration and black spots. These adorable fish are slow swimmers and can be found near coral formations or rocky outcrops.
How Common? Occasionally seen, but their bright color makes them easy to spot.
Fun Fact: When stressed, Yellow Boxfish release a toxic substance that can harm surrounding marine life—a natural defense mechanism.
Bigeye Snapper
About: Bigeye Snappers are a schooling species, known for their bright yellow bodies and large eyes. They create mesmerizing formations as they move together in synchronized groups.
How Common? Very common and often seen in large schools at popular dive sites.
Fun Fact: Their big eyes aren’t just for show; they help the fish see better in low-light conditions.
Harry Hotlips
About: Known for their distinctive, pouting mouths, Harry Hotlips are a comical yet captivating species found around Koh Tao’s reefs. Their silvery bodies and bold lips make them easy to identify.
How Common? Fairly common, especially in areas with plenty of sandy patches.
Fun Fact: The name “Hotlips” refers to their habit of sifting through sand with their lips to find food.
Maze Rabbitfish
About: The Maze Rabbitfish is a herbivore with intricate maze-like patterns on its body. They are often seen grazing on algae, helping to maintain the balance of Koh Tao’s reef ecosystem.
How Common? Fairly common, particularly in algae-rich areas.
Fun Fact: Maze Rabbitfish are monogamous and often seen swimming in pairs.
Eightband Butterflyfish
About: The Eightband Butterflyfish is a stunning species with eight distinct vertical stripes running along its body. They are usually seen in pairs, gracefully swimming near coral formations.
How Common? Occasionally seen, particularly in healthy coral reef areas.
Fun Fact: Eightband Butterflyfish form strong pair bonds and are almost always spotted with their partner.
Coral Grouper
About: The Coral Grouper is a vibrant predator with a reddish body covered in bright blue spots. They are solitary hunters, often seen lurking near coral heads, waiting to ambush their prey.
How Common? Fairly common, especially around coral-rich dive sites.
Fun Fact: Coral Groupers can change color slightly to blend in better with their surroundings while hunting.
Banded Sea Krait
About: The Banded Sea Krait is a highly venomous sea snake, easily recognized by its black and white bands. While their venom is potent, these snakes are non-aggressive and pose no threat to divers unless provoked.
How Common? Occasionally seen, particularly on night dives.
Fun Fact: Banded Sea Kraits need to surface for air but can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes while hunting underwater.
Conclusion
In this fourth installment, we’ve introduced a mix of playful, elegant, and intriguing marine life. From the graceful Longfin Batfish to the fascinating Banded Sea Krait, Koh Tao’s underwater world never disappoints, come visit us and see what they all really look like as all these images are AI generated. Stay tuned for our next installment as we continue exploring the marine marvels of Koh Tao!