Jeweled Moray Eel

Details

Scientific Name: Muraena lentiginosa
Family: Muraenidae
Color: brown, black, yellow

Fish Care

Fish Diet: Carnivore
Aggressiveness: Highly Aggressive
Reef Safe: With Caution
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gal
Max Size: 24"
Relative Care: Easy

Description

The Jeweled Moray Eel originates from the shorelines of the Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California and south throughout Central America. They are one of the smaller Moray Eels, only attaining a maximum size of 24 inches. They are black with beautiful white markings. As a juvenile, these eels are brown with gold spots. This species adapts readily to aquarium life, and does not require a large amount of space.

This is a very hardy eel, but is an escape artist, and requires a tightly sealed aquarium. A 50-gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding is ideal for the Jeweled Moray. Most of the eels that are lost in an aquarium are due to poorly sealed tanks. These eels are very aggressive in the aquarium, and will eat any fish, crustacean or other eel that it can swallow.

The Jeweled Eel is a nocturnal predator, ambushing fish and crustaceans. In the aquarium it will learn to feed during the daylight hours, and it will take frozen or freeze-dried krill, fish, shrimp, and most meaty foods. It can be taught to hand feed, although this should be done with caution, as it can inflict a painful bite.