The Scribbled Filefish is one of the most elegant and unusual-looking fish you’ll encounter around Koh Tao. Growing up to 1 metre in length, they have a tall, laterally compressed body, long flowing fins and delicate blue “scribble” patterns across a pale background — giving them their artistic name. Adults...
Jenkins’ Whipray is one of the larger reef-associated rays occasionally encountered around Koh Tao. Growing up to around 1.5 metres across the disc (with an even longer whip-like tail), they are powerful yet graceful bottom dwellers. They are typically sandy-brown to olive in colour with subtle...
The Eagle Ray is one of the most graceful and awe-inspiring rays you can encounter around Koh Tao. With a wingspan reaching up to 3 metres and a long trailing tail, they move through the water with slow, powerful wingbeats that look more like flight than swimming.
The Blue-Spotted Stingray is one of the most beautiful and instantly recognisable rays found around Koh Tao. Growing up to around 35 cm across the disc (with a tail much longer than the body), they are easily identified by their vivid electric-blue spots scattered across a sandy-yellow to olive...
Octopus are among the most intelligent and fascinating animals found on coral reefs. With eight flexible arms lined with suction cups, no internal skeleton, and incredibly advanced eyes, they are masters of problem-solving, camouflage and escape. Around Koh Tao, reef octopus are typically found between 3–25...
Cuttlefish are highly intelligent cephalopods closely related to octopus and squid. They have a broad, oval body with a thin fin running along the sides, large expressive eyes, and eight arms plus two longer feeding tentacles. Masters of camouflage, cuttlefish can change colour, pattern and even...
These fast-moving, highly intelligent cephalopods are close relatives of cuttlefish and octopus. Squid have elongated, torpedo-shaped bodies, large complex eyes, eight arms and two longer feeding tentacles used to snatch prey. Unlike cuttlefish, they lack a broad internal cuttlebone and are generally more streamlined for speed.
The Starry puffer is a strange looking fish. Its body is oval in shape and fairly elongated. Rather than having scales as we usually see with fish, the Starry puffer has skin that is prickly to the touch. The head is large with a short snout with...
The Blotched Porcupinefish is one of the reef’s most characterful residents. Growing up to around 65 cm in length, they have a rounded body covered in large dark blotches and long sharp spines that lie flat against the body — until needed. They’re easily recognised by...
