The Golden Dwarf Moray Eel (Gymnothorax melatremus) is a small species of Moray Eel that only tops out at around 12″ in length. Ranging in color from a rich yellow coloration brown with a lighter colored belly. This simple but captivating coloration is sometimes decorated with a dusting of light brown dots or a faint speckled pattern. In addition to its petite size, another endearing feature of the Dwarf Moray Eel is its faint pale blue “cat eyes”.
The Golden Dwarf Moray Eel requires an established aquarium 65 gallons or larger in volume with very strong filtration. The addition of an efficient protein skimmer is highly recommended as the carnivore diet of this eel tends to generate a lot of waste. Aquascape liberally with live rock of varying shapes and sizes to create a network of caves, crevices, and tunnels for your Dwarf Moray Eel to explore and seek shelter during the day. Appropriately sized PVC tubes can also be used to create artificial “dens”. Most active at night, the Golden Dwarf Moray Eel spends most of the day hiding, moving about mostly at night in search of food.
All Moray Eels are escape artists and to prevent loss, secure a tightly-fitting aquarium top and make sure there are no openings for the eel to slip through.
A predator by nature, the Dwarf Moray Eel requires two or three substantial meals per week comprised of meaty foods such as live or frozen fish such as silversides, krill, shrimp, or crustacean flesh, offered on a feeder stick. Moray Eels have poor eye sight and should never be fed by hand to avoid injury. It is imperative to be cautious with Moray Eels as they possess powerful jaws along with seriously sharp teeth.