Individuals reaching 2.5 feet or more by adulthood should be kept in at least a 30 gallon tank. “Mini-Morays” (less than 15 inches) will be comfortable in tanks as small as 15 gallons.
What size tank do you need for a saltwater eel?
While smaller species can make do in a 75-gallon aquarium, larger morays will require a 125-gallon tank or larger.
How many gallons does an eel need?
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.
Can you have an eel in a saltwater tank?
They thrive in standard marine conditions: temperatures should sit at 74-80°F and they need a pH of 7.9-8.4. Lastly, the specific gravity (salinity) should be between 1.020-1.025. Aquascaping is an important aspect to keeping saltwater aquarium eels because they need a lot of cover.
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.
Are eels hard to keep?
This group includes many of the more fascinating eel species, but they are also difficult to keep in most home aquariums. I say this for a few reasons. First, they pose a risk to your health. If bitten by a fang-toothed eel, it is nearly impossible to remove the animal without harming and/or killing it.
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.
What can I feed my saltwater eel?
A typical moray’s diet includes fish and crustaceans. To a moray eel, cephalopods like squid and octopus are a delicacy. In an aquarium, you should replicate this diet by feeding your moray these items.
What is the best pet eel?
12 Freshwater Eels That Can be Kept as Aquarium Pets
- Tire Track Eel (Mastacembelus favus)
- Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia)
- Zig-Zag Eel (Mastacembelus armatus)
- Bichirs (Polypterus spp.)
- Peacock Eel (Macrognathus siamensis)
- Half-banded spiny eel (Macrognathus circumcinctus)
- Asian Swamp Eel (Monopterus albus)
How do you take care of a saltwater 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 long do saltwater eels live?
Lifespan: The lifespan of an eel varies depending on the species. American eels typically live for at least five years, with some reaching 15 to 20 years old. Meanwhile, captive European eels have been reported to live over 80 years, but the species’ lifespan in the wild has not been determined.
What fish can live with eels?
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.
How long can eels be out of water?
First, although eels breathe with gills underwater, they can survive out of water for several hours breathing through their skin.
How long do pet eels live?
Generally speaking, most freshwater eels will not live longer than 15 years. However, there are a select few species that may live to 18 or 20 years old, as well as some that may live for as little as 8 or 10 years.
What do you feed pet eels?
Eels kept in captivity will consume protein sources such as brine shrimp, worms, crickets, bloodworms, glass worms, and saltwater or freshwater shrimp. Most eels don’t eat other eels, but some will.
Do eels eat coral?
They will not purposefully damage or eat coral, but they are fairly large and very muscular and ambush predators, so a quick jolt out of their hiding spot could dislodge and break anything they are near. They also dine mostly on crustaceans.
Do eels have feelings?
Albert agrees that eels likely do feel emotions but thinks loneliness might be a bit of a stretch.
Are eels intelligent?
Eels have many traits that suggest a lively intelligence. They are known, for example, for going on hunger strikes in captivity, and they hunt cooperatively with groupers in the wild. On the other hand, they’re also famous for sudden and egregious acts of aggression.
How much is an eel?
The price of our live eels for sale will vary based on the size and type of pet you choose. Our Snowflake Moray Eel costs between $39.99 and $49.99. However, in addition to the upfront cost of saltwater eels, you’ll need to purchase and set up an appropriate habitat environment for them to thrive.
What is the rarest eel?
| European eel | |
|---|---|
| Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1) | |
| CITES Appendix II (CITES) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
Can saltwater eels live in freshwater?
“Freshwater” Eel
Quite simply the answer to this question is no, you cannot put a true saltwater Moray Eel of any kind into fresh or brackish water and expect it to live. With all the research we have done about this, we are not aware of any “true” freshwater Moray Eels.