Lionfish, Scorpionfish, and Moray Eels
Animals that sit still on Havelock reefs. How to see them, and why we keep hands off ledges and rubble.
Look before you put a hand down
Some animals wait on the reef. Those are the ones that sting or bite people who brace on rock “just for a second.”
Lionfish
Stripes, fan fins, slow hover. Venom is in the spines. Give them room. Do not pin them in a swim-through. They are native here.
Scorpionfish and similar
Mottled, sitting on rubble, easy to miss. We say it every briefing: watch where your knees and hands go. We do not kneel on unknown rock.
Moray eels
An open mouth is often just breathing. They live in holes. Fingers in holes get punctured. Watch from open water. A moray swimming at dusk is worth slowing down for — stay out of its path.
Hover first. Do not touch. Gloves are not permission. Night versions of the same animals are in night diving in Havelock.
On Try Scuba your instructor’s job includes keeping you off the reef.