| > | | | | Behavior differs among eels even in the same |
| Next to sharks, eels have to be the most feared | | | | family. A popular eel is the zebra moray eel |
| and misunderstood fish. | | | | (Gymnomuraena zebra). The body of this eel is |
| Eels invoke thoughts of terror and wanton | | | | dark brown with white stripes running vertically |
| destruction. This may be because eels are similar | | | | down the body the entire length of the fish. They |
| to snakes, which also get little love and sympathy. | | | | grow over 4 feet long, but are peaceful and will |
| Or perhaps this is another result of Hollywood's | | | | not bother tankmates. They are good for |
| simplistic portrayal of this fascinating group of | | | | community marine aquariums but not reef |
| animals. In either case, the fear is unwarranted | | | | compatible because they will knock corals over. |
| and one can successfully and safely keep eels in a | | | | This eels needs a large tank. It eats chopped fish, |
| home aquarium with a little planning and research. | | | | squid, mussels, clams and more. |
| While many people associate eels with saltwater | | | | Another popular moray eel is the snowflake eel |
| aquariums, there are also freshwater eels, which | | | | (Echidna nebulosa). This eel also gets its popular |
| means customers on both sides of the hobby can | | | | name from the body coloration, which features |
| enjoy owning an eel. | | | | white spots or splashes on a dark back-ground. |
| Saltwater Eels | | | | The snowflake eel does not get as big as the |
| Eels for saltwater aquarium come from three | | | | zebra moray, but reaches about 2 feet in the |
| families Ophichthidae (worm and snake eels), | | | | aquarium, and it is easier to maintain. But it is a |
| Heterocongridae (garden and conger eels) and | | | | little more aggressive than the zebra, and it |
| Muraenidae (moray eels). | | | | seems to spend its entire life trying to figure out |
| Even though these eels come from different | | | | how to escape from the aquarium. |
| families, they share similarities. Some of these | | | | This eel will eat fish and crustaceans smaller than |
| common traits are size, diet and behavior. Most | | | | itself, so the selection of potential tankmates is |
| eels are obtained when small but will quickly reach | | | | narrowed compare to the zebra. They need |
| a size of 24 to 36 inches in an aquarium. They | | | | rocks and caves and may only come out at night. |
| are all carnivores and need a variety of meat in | | | | There are smaller eels that can be kept in the |
| their diet. | | | | aquarium and as a colony such as Hass' garden |
| The majority want to hide in rock and caves, so | | | | eel (Taenioconger hassi). These eels bury |
| the aquarium must be decorated accordingly. Last | | | | themselves in the sand, and if several are kept in |
| but not least, they are all excellent escape artists. | | | | the large tank, they will space their homes in the |
| Together these basic traits mean that one should | | | | sand and all rise out of the holes looking like plant |
| only put an eel in a large aquarium (50 gallons or | | | | stems in the garden. These eels are difficult to |
| more) that has a good filtration system because | | | | keep, you should have the experience and |
| these fish need a lot more food than more | | | | patience needed to be successful with these |
| common, smaller marine fish. | | | | species. Eels add a whole new dimension to an |
| Their foods are also higher in protein than flake | | | | aquarium and are worth a try. With a little |
| feed which means there will be more ammonia | | | | planning, you can be successful and enjoy these |
| production, leading to nitrate buildup in the | | | | fish. |
| aquarium. Regular water changes are a must with | | | | |
| these fish. | | | | |
| Water quality for saltwater eels is the same for | | | | We hope that this guide was of help to you and |
| all marine fish, as the ocean's basic water | | | | your hobby. |
| parameters, except temperature, are the same | | | | Also, please see information on freshwater eels. |
| worldwide. These eels are all tropical and need a | | | | THANK YOU... |
| water temperature in the mid 70s. | | | | |