With over 200 distinct species, moray eels are found across the world in both marine and freshwater environments. Though some species live in rivers and colder, temperate, marine waters, most moray eel species thrive on the world’s coral reefs.
Do eels live in cold water?
Eels can be found in oceans across the globe, and many species can be found in freshwater habitats as well. Some species range into the frigid waters at the poles.
What temperature do moray eels live in?
72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
Moray eels usually see other fish as meal if they are small enough to be eaten by the moray eel. The water values for a moray should preferable keep a water gravity (salinity) of 1.022 to 1.025 and a temperature of 72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (22-30 degrees Celsius). The pH level should be kept above pH 8.0.
What type of water do moray eels live in?
Moray eels occur in all tropical and subtropical seas, where they live in shallow water among reefs and rocks and hide in crevices.
What habitat does a moray eel live in?
Habitat. In cooler waters, north of the Caribbean, green moray eels and are commonly found around seawalls and rock pilings. In warm tropical waters, they can be found in many different habitats including coral reefs, mangroves, tidal creeks, and even in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.
Where do eels go in winter?
During the day, they burrow in bottom sediments and become active only at night, when they feed on small fish, insects, worms, crayfish, and snails. During winter, eels hibernate by burrowing into the bottom mud. This phase of the eel’s life cycle can last from 5 years for the males to about 20 years for the females.
Can you put eel in fish tank?
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.
Will a moray eel hurt you?
Moray eels aren’t poisonous — the most common complication from a moray eel bite is infection. More serious bites may require stitches, and some can cause long-term injury like the loss of a digit or body part. Try to avoid spending too much time near known eel habitats and keep your distance if you spot one.
Do moray eels like being pet?
And on a small scale, this has really happened. Since “Oliver The Green Moray Eel Loves to be Petted” was uploaded in 2012, it has seen more than 100,000 views and countless Twitter shares. When looking for helpful tips and web pages about keeping an eel as a pet, you’re bound to stumble upon this clip.
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.
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.
What eats a moray eel?
Predators: What eats moray eels? Moray eels have few predators. Their predators are usually the apex predator in their ecosystem. Grouper, barracuda, sharks, and humans are common predators of moray eels.
How long can a moray eel go without eating?
Don’t worry about it, eels can go weeks without food as long as they are healthy. If it hasn’t eaten for a week or two, try live food, ghost shrimp is a good bet.
How big of a tank does a moray eel need?
While smaller species can make do in a 75-gallon aquarium, larger morays will require a 125-gallon tank or larger.
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 deep do moray eels live?
The zebra moray eel can live in extreme underwater regions of the tropical and temperate Indian and Pacific oceans. They stay around crevices and ledges of reefs and can swim to depths of 130 feet (39.6 m).
Are eels blind?
Eels have limited vision, they have rows of sensors on their head known as lateral lines. These help them detect movement in the water. Eels can travel over land, slithering through wet grass to get to a pond, river or lake.
Do eels hibernate in winter?
With the onset of winter eels hibernate to deep mud in backwaters, swampy areas or drains where they lie dormant until spring.
Do eels sleep?
This radar helps them find their way around. It also helps them locate their prey. Electric eels live in fresh water. They are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and are active at night.
How big do freshwater moray eels get?
The species grows to at least 90 cm in length.
Do eels need sunlight?
Providing eels are kept damp and out of direct sunlight they can survive out of water longer than nearly any other freshwater species. In fact, in cool damp wet conditions, they can survive for days out of water and are known to travel over land to find a body of water.