Moray eels are not for beginners, nor are they for the faint of heart – two pairs of jaws full of needle-sharp teeth are not something you want to get too close to your hands – but they are fascinating and some are actually suitable for life in an aquarium. Let’s go into 6 of our favorite aquarium eel species!
Are moray eels easy to take care of?
They are tough, disease resistant, hardy, easy to feed, and a few make excellent aquarium fish (some are even reef safe!). There are many moray eel species.
Are moray eels friendly?
While moray eels can be unpredictable and aggressive, they are rarely attack people. When they do, however, they can do some damage because, like a pit bull, they don’t like to let go.
Are moray eels high maintenance?
These are probably the largest morays that could reasonably be considered for the hobbyist. They are relatively easy to maintain, but need to be kept in very large systems with robust tank mates and efficient filtration. Feed squid and fish twice a week —and mind your fingers at all times!
Can you touch moray eels?
Moray eel can look for contact with divers : do not confuse this with an act of friendship. They rub themselves to eliminate parasites present on their smooth skin! But remember that it is not good for them to be touch by your hands at the potential risk of transmitting your own bacteria.
How often do you feed a moray eel?
But come feeding time, the water boils with activity as the eels sense the good eats to come. Aquarist Sean Costello feeds the eels three to four times a week, usually in the early afternoon when visitors can get a good look at the action.
What fish can live with moray eel?
Tankmates. Compatible tankmates for the snowflake moray eel include other relatively large, aggressive fish, such as lionfish, tangs, triggerfish, wrasses, and possibly even other snowflake moray eels if they are both introduced to the tank at the same time.
Are moray eels aggressive to humans?
The Moray Eel
One of the most dangerous fish in the sea, the Moray Eel is vicious when disturbed and will attack humans. The jaws of the moray eel are equipped with strong, sharp teeth, enabling them to seize hold of their prey and inflict serious wounds.
Can eels feel affection?
Albert agrees that eels likely do feel emotions but thinks loneliness might be a bit of a stretch.
Are eels hard to take care of?
This fish is generally hardy and the only difficulty fishkeepers face is its size. At first, a 35 to 55-gallon tank would fit its needs, but a mature specimen would need no less than a 180-gallon aquarium. One cool thing about Fire eels is that they will recognize their owners so they can be hand-fed.
How long do moray eels live in captivity?
Moray eels will live on average 10-40 years.
Can I put a eel in my reef tank?
In conclusion, the pebble-toothed morays make an excellent tankmate in reef tank style aquariums. The snowflake eel is probably the best-suited eel for this tank as it is small, compatible with other fish species and adaptable to captivity. It is certainly one of the most passive, sociable, and desirable moray species.
How big of a tank do you need for an eel?
Tank Size. Aquarium eels vary in size, but we don’t recommend keeping any species of eel in a tank of fewer than 35 gallons. As a good rule of thumb, you should allow 10 gallons of water per one 15-inch eel. So, a larger species of around 25 inches will need a bare minimum of 20 gallons of water to be comfortable.
Do eels actually shock you?
When the electric eel senses prey or feels threatened by a predator, electrocytes create an electrical current that can release up to 600 volts (if you are unlucky enough to be shocked by 600 volts, it won’t kill you on its own, but it will hurt).
How long can moray eels live out of water?
around 30 minutes
Chain moray eels (Echidna catenata) live and hunt close to the surface. They can survive for around 30 minutes outside of water, and they aren’t afraid to go hunting in shallow shores or tide pools.
Is moray eel blood poisonous?
Blood Toxins
Moray eels, as well as many other eel-like fish of the order Aguilliformes, have toxic proteins in their blood. They are usually referred to as ichthyotoxins, which simply means “fish poisons.” They are among the oldest toxic substances from marine critters known to mankind.
How do you take care of a moray eel?
In order to keep your moray healthy you’ll need to provide a varied diet of fresh fish, shrimp, crab, octopus, squid, and various crustaceans. To maintain water quality in your moray eel tank you should test your water parameters on a weekly basis and do frequent water changes – a 35% change each week is recommended.
How do I get my moray eel to eat?
If you feed your eel frozen food, make sure the food is completely thawed first. Most morays can be enticed to eat non-living food by impaling it on the end of a feeding stick (I use a piece of rigid airline tubing with a sharpened end) and moving it in front of their head.
What do moray eel eat?
The green moray feeds mostly at night on fishes, crabs, shrimp, octopuses and squid. This species is one of the largest morays, with a maximum recorded length of 8 feet and weight of 65 pounds. The green moray is common throughout much of its range. Large green morays have few natural predators.
How big do moray eels get?
They generally do not exceed a length of about 1.5 metres (5 feet), but one species, Thyrsoidea macrurus of the Pacific, is known to grow about 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) long.
What is the smallest saltwater eel?
The Snyder’s moray is the smallest species within the family, measuring less than six inches in length when fully grown. Its reddish-brown, sometimes dark, mottled coloration dappled with small white spots makes for great camouflage on the reef. It is found throughout the eastern and western Pacific.