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Because they are found in areas dense with plankton, mantas tend to be seen at times when visibility is relatively low. This, however, is a small inconvenience when weighed against the pleasure of swimming with such magnificent creatures.

Sometimes seen in the same places that attract mantas are the smaller, but very similar devil rays (Mobula). These animals travel in groups and sometimes large schools.

Bony Fishes

Eels. The moray eels (family Muraenidae) are common both in folklore and on the Indonesian reef. Although not as dangerous as Hollywood would have us believe, they have sharp teeth and should not be provoked. The largest species, the giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus), can reach more than two meters in length, and weigh 35 kilos. Many morays are nocturnal hunters, resting in holes by day and prowling the reef by night. They feed on dozing fish which they detect by smell.

The ornate ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus. This strange animal is a relative of the seahorses and pipefishes, however in Solenostomus the female broods the eggs. The coloration and growths are cryptic. This juvenile stands out here against the brilliant red crinoids, only because it has moved from a neighboring white crinoid or antipatharian. Tulamben, Bali.