Life span of morays

[kdrun76]

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a "typical" life span for a moray in captivity. Or how old your eels are, so as to give a rough estimate.

I can start by saying I have a snowflake moray that is almost 8 years in my captivity.
--Karen

 

[kdrun76]

bump

 

[spotfin]

I bought a snowflake in 1995 or 1996. It was about 8" long then. I sold it a few years later to a friend. I think he still has it.

 

[Jow13]

Moray's can live a long time. One person i know had zebra moray for 12 years and counting

 

[Frostyeel]

My snowflake is older than me and I'm 15. My mom was pregnant with me when my dad bought the eel.

 

[IMAGINEER]

about 40 years

 

[kdrun76]

IMAGINEER, is that for any particular species of moray? Can you tell me where that number came from? Personal experience, research, etc..??

 

[AmandaL]

Dragon Moray are said to have a life span of 25 - 30 years.

My boyfriend's is 13 years old...DNA tested.

 

[Absint Reefer]

how did you go about to get your eels DNA tested?

 

[wild fin]

are eels inverts?

 

[Thunderstruck]

Cool thread! I always wondered what the lifespan of morays were in captivity as well. I had my snowflake for 4 years so far and he is doing awesome. My dragon I only had 8 months so far, but he is cool as hell. Here is a pic of him:

 

[kdrun76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9475101#post9475101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wild fin
are eels inverts?

No, teleost (bony) fish.

 

[justinl]

okay this is where i get confused with eels. What are true eels? Are morays eels or eel like fish? sorry for the thread jack but i think the question was answered right?

btw sweet dragon. Ive always wanted one.

 

[Thunderstruck]

Morays are true eels...

 

[morayeelsrule]

so i have now had a honeycomb mory for about 8 years and he is like 4 feet but i hav e read that the bigger moryas can live to be 50 to 60 in the wild not sure captive snowflake i believe have an avg lifespan of 25 years someone correct me if im wrong but i'm pretty sure thats what i remember from workin t the lfs hope that helps you
ryan

 

[AmandaL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9473559#post9473559 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Absint Reefer
how did you go about to get your eels DNA tested?

He used to work at Shedd, in Chicago and had blood work done, on his Dragon, to get a positive sex. The only way to tell the difference is DNA testing, as both male and female have the same coloration.

 

[Pete]

Actually, male and female dragons are very different in coloration and easily told apart by coloration. Females are always much lighter(whiter) and "duller" with less red than males.

 

[AmandaL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9485149#post9485149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pete
Actually, male and female dragons are very different in coloration and easily told apart by coloration. Females are always much lighter(whiter) and "duller" with less red than males.

Sounds like you know quite a bit more than biologists/researchers at many public aquariums, world wide, because it's them who say you can't tell them apart.

Coloration plays no role, what-so-ever, in their sex.

EDIT: Just to throw a little bit more out there, this is a letter and responce to/from Bob Fenner...a very highly respected person in the hobby.

"Sexing Hawaiian Dragon Moray Eels

Dear Mr. Fenner,

<Hi Ronald>

I currently have one Hawaiian Dragon Moray Eel and now have an opportunity to purchase a second specimen. I would most appreciate any information you could provide relative to determining the sex of Dragon Moray Eels as well as breeding information. I recognize that this would be a difficult challenge and am prepared to do whatever is required.

I am currently in the process of setting up a 437 gallon tank to hopefully house these two Morays. Your anticipated response is most appreciated.

<Have looked through my print references and fishbase.org... No external differences between the sexes. Have seen (rarely) morays in "pairs" (and on occasion more than one, two species in a hole/cave) while diving, but never Enchelycore pardalis. Bob Fenner>

Kindest regards,
Ronald Allard"

 

[sunfishh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9471781#post9471781 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AmandaL
Dragon Moray are said to have a life span of 25 - 30 years.

My boyfriend's is 13 years old...DNA tested.

Amanda I was just wondering how does DNA tell the age of an eel?

 

[planetgirth]

Where did you guys get your dragons? I have been looking for one but am skeptical about spending that much $$ online.

Also are they very hardy? Do they eat well? Are they very aggressive with their tankmates?

Any help is very appreciated.