Although not for everyone, many of the morays make outstanding aquarium pets. In fact, there are a number of species that are a great choice for the beginning marine aquarists. But because this group of eels is quite diverse, care should be taken to get a moray that is right for your aquarium.
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.
Will a moray eel hurt you?
In fact, moray eel bites are infamously painful and can cause extensive bleeding. This is because they have teeth that jut backwards so that prey cannot easily escape. Moray eels also have a second set of jaws known as pharyngeal jaws that help them hold on to prey. Moray eel bites can range from minor to serious.
Can moray eels live with other fish?
Morays can be kept alongside other fish, but only if they are large enough. They are most suited to tanks which have plenty of corals and crevices for them to hide in.
How much space does a moray eel need?
A 30-inch moray can turn around in an 18-inch space, but it certainly will appreciate having more width. When you factor in their voluminous wastes, you want a good volume of water in a large tank. While smaller species can make do in a 75-gallon aquarium, larger morays will require a 125-gallon tank or larger.
How long do moray eels live?
10-40 years
After about a year, the moray eel larvae are big enough to swim down to the ocean floor and hide in rocks and crevices. Moray eels will live on average 10-40 years.
Are moray eels intelligent?
Are moray eels intelligent? Yes. While it can be difficult to determine the intelligence of fish species, moray eels are thought to be cleverer than most. They can cooperate with other fish for hunting purposes, and they can learn the routines of their prey to better stalk them and flush them out.
Is it safe to touch a moray eel?
You should never touch a moray eel, it is one of the most dangerous creatures you will come across while diving. You may not get bitten every time and there is no need to take unwanted risks.
What’s the most poisonous 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.
Why do moray eels have 2 sets of jaws?
Once prey is secured in the eel’s oral jaws, a second set of toothy jaws (known as the pharyngeal jaws) located behind the eel’s skull lunges forward, advancing along almost the full length of its skull, to snatch and deliver the prey to the eel’s esophagus for swallowing.
Are moray eels easy to keep?
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! The Ribbon eel, Rhinomuraena quaesita (pictured above by Chika Watanabe, Creative Commons) is one to avoid.
How often should you feed a moray eel?
As for frequency, 3-4 times per week is great. For amount, that really depends on the size of the Eel. Mine will eat either a whole large clam, OR 6-7 silversides, OR a dozen or so krill.
What eels can you have as pets?
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)
What Should I Feed My moray eel?
Although it is interesting to watch morays chase and capture live feeder fish, it is important to include frozen or fresh squid, marine fish flesh and crustacean meat in their diet as well. If you feed your eel frozen food, make sure the food is completely thawed first.
What should I feed my pet eel?
A well-balanced eel diet consists of high-protein foods, such as frozen and freeze-dried bloodworms, krill or brine shrimp, and live foods, such as earthworms and black worms. Things to remember when feeding your eel: Feed them daily.
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.
Do moray eels have electricity?
Electric eels have three sets of internal organs that produce electricity. The organs are made up of special cells called “electrocytes.” Electric eels can create both low and high voltage charges with their electrocytes. Electric eels generate their electric shocks much like a battery.
What does a baby moray eel look like?
At the time of hatching, the larvae are only about one centimeter long and look like little deep-sea monsters with their long teeth,” says Anton Weissenbacher, head of the Aquarium House. The animal keepers succeeded in offering the larvae adequate food and shortly after hatching they already started to eat.
How big can a moray eel get?
Moray eels are usually vividly marked or coloured. 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.
Can moray eels smell?
Sight and Smell
Unlike many predators moray eels have remarkably poor eyesight so they rely largely on their incredible sense of smell when hunting.
Is the moray eel blind?
They are kind of blind
Due to their relatively poor eyesight, moray eels rely on their keen sense of smell to hunt. They are renowned for their ability to strike at lightning fast speed at night. Their favourite choice of prey is usually weakened or dead too.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.