Bajo L’Escull

The ocean sunfish, commonly known as the Mola mola, are one of the most extraordinary fish found in the ocean. Due to their round, flattened form they are reminiscent of a millstone, called mola in Latin. Ocean sunfish are found in both temperate and tropical regions around the world. They are frequently seen near the surface, an amazing site to witness as they bask in the sun to raise their body temperature after deep ocean dives, sometimes as deep as 600 meters!

One of the most fascinating fish on the reef, moray eels come in nearly every size and color from the tiny, bright blue ribbon eel, the smallest averaging only 25 cm long, to the black speckled giant moray which can grow up to 4 meters in length! In fact, there are nearly 200 different species. Most morays are marine dwelling fish, but several species have been seen in brackish water, and just a few are found in fresh water. They are clearly distinguishable from the other reef fish with their long, slithering bodies, pointy snouts full of sharp teeth, and long dorsal fins that run the entire length of their bodies. No matter the species, these animals are always an exciting site to see while scuba diving.

Despite their protruding teeth, menacing grin, and aggressive predatory status, barracuda are actually completely passive towards divers and snorkelers, although passing by a large adult can still be intimidating to the most experienced scuba diver. They are found in tropical and temperate oceans throughout the world, preferring to cruise over coral reefs, seagrass beds, and near the surface of the water, never venturing very deep; therefore, they are commonly sighted while scuba diving.

An octopus has eight arms with suction cups which it uses as powerful tools for hunting prey, defense against attackers, and locomotion along the seafloor. They are one of the most fascinating marine animals on the planet. Every octopus has a designated “arm“ that it favors and uses most often. Because they have no inner skeleton, they are extremely mobile and can slip through the narrowest gaps and holes. Some species can even survive and move on land for a short time. Scuba diving with an octopus is an amazing and rewarding experience.

With over 500 different species of rays identified, this group of cartilaginous fish are more varied then their cousin the shark. Stingrays derive their name from their long, skinny tails, many of which have poisonous stingers used for self-defense. Due to these predominant stingers, please take caution when diving or walking through waters with stingrays. As long as you keep a safe distance, you can experience beautiful dives with them. They are mostly found on the seabed where they hide under the sand and feed on fish, crabs, worms, snails, and other mollusks.

Large-mouthed, heavy-bodied groupers consist of several marine fish species from the family Serranidae, mainly from the genera Epinephelus and Mycteroperca. You can go diving with various grouper species throughout the world’s oceans. They live in warm, tropical waters and like to patrol around reefs and shipwrecks.

The conger eel, also known as the European conger, is distributed throughout the eastern Atlantic Ocean and is particularly present in the Mediterranean Sea. These robust eels are the heaviest marine eel species within the Congridae family and a favorite sighting amongst European divers, growing up to 3m (9.8 ft) in length and 72 kg (159 lb) in weight!

Scorpionfish are one of the most venomous yet undetectable fish species in the sea. These ambush predators are experts at blending into their environment as they sit and wait patiently on top of the reef for unsuspecting prey to swim by. Ranging in color from dull browns and yellow to bright reds and oranges, scorpionfish perfectly match the surrounding reef and even exhibit feathery fins or skin flaps to better camouflage with neighboring coral.

Aptly named for the two large “whiskers,“ or barbels, protruding from their chin area, goatfish are famous for these two chemosensory organs they use to hunt for food. You can typically do diving with goatfish along the shallow reef flats, where they like to dig around through the sand and sediment in search of their next meal. They use their “whiskers“ to feel around in the sand for their next meal of small invertebrates and fish.

Squid are intelligent animals that thrive in every ocean worldwide, including the freezing polar regions. Diving with squid is always a treat, as their rhythmic movements and electric coloration can be captivating. There are roughly 300 different squid species ranging in size, from the tiny bobtail squid, reaching only 10 millimeters (0.4 inches), to the giant squid, which can grow up to 12 meters (39 feet). No matter where you go diving, spotting a shoal of squid is always a possibility.

Cuttlefish are the cutest of the mollusk species. This smaller, chubbier cousin to the squid is sometimes mistaken as such to the untrained eye; however, distinct characteristics separate it from being a squid. Cuttlefish move slower in the water and have two long undulating fins that run along the sides of its body. They also have W-shaped pupils while the squids are round. Like other cephalopods, however, cuttlefish have eight shorter arms with suckers and two longer tentacles attached to their heads, which help secure prey.

Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood choices on the planet; however, they are also just as fun to see in their natural habitat. There are nearly as many types of shrimp as there are ways to cook them, with approximately 2,000 different species. Part of the crustacean family, these relatives of crabs and lobsters are identifiable by their semi-transparent bodies, flexible abdomen, and fanlike tail used to swim backward.

Also known as rock lobster, spiny lobster is the common name given to over 60 different species of crustaceans within the family Palinuridae. Spiny lobsters lack the typical large pincers of common lobsters and have very long, thick antennas. You can find this nocturnal animal during the day in crevices and caves throughout the reef. Night diving is an excellent way to see them while they are out and active. Spiny lobsters migrate across the sea floor in large groups, with up to 50 animals sometimes creating a long line.

One of the most fascinating creatures of the sea, these small but mighty jelly-bodied, shell-less mollusks are part of the sea slug family. Nudibranchs inhabit ocean waters throughout the world, from the Southern Ocean to the Arctic and everywhere in between. Depending on the species, adult sizes can range from 0.25 to 12 inches. These soft-bodied gastropods derive their name from the Latin word Nudibranchia, meaning naked gills, which is why most have feathery gills and horns on their backs.