A Beached Moray Eel and its Final Meal

This 4-foot moray eel found washed up at a Cook Islands beach died while having its last meal. The eel ensnared a pufferfish which had the last laugh by inflating itself, and in turn, the scale-less fish ended up getting lodged up its predator’s throat. Pufferfish are known to inflate up to three times, hence the name.

The poor swimmers rely on the ability to puff up as a defense mechanism. When threatened, they take in massive amounts of air or ingest plenty of water to increase their body size. Puffing up turns them into massive ball-like creatures, and it must have been what happened when this eel attacked the puffer.