Multiple Small Morays

[RichardS]

I don't have much experience with eels but have always wanted to setup a tank with only eels. I am looking for recommedations on possible smaller species that would be suitable as tankmates. Any information on how well any of the species will tolerate multiples of their own kind would also be appreciated.

I am just beginning to think about this and haven't decided on any certain tank size. So feel free to recommend a tank size for any group/combination of eels. The only thing I have fully decided is that I don't want any of the really big boys.

Thanks

 

[Tayler]

dwarfe golden morays stay small but have a nice fat price tag. A 100 gal or larger would be good for a group of 5 but thats at least 1400$ good luck

 

[greenmonkey51]

You can get dwarf golden morays for for 125$-175$ online.

 

[LisaD]

I consider a "smaller" moray to be anything under 3-4 feet. Right now, I have a zebra moray and a Brazilian dragon moray in a 120 - they get along fine. There are numerous other "small" morays that would be fine with this mix.

What are you considering smaller morays?

 

[ZC]

I had a pair of snowflakes with a white eye for a long time and they did great together. Goldentails and Zebras also get along well with others.

 

[RichardS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12407218#post12407218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LisaD

What are you considering smaller morays?

Anything in the 2 foot range, no larger than say 30".

These are some possiblilities I found on wwm.

Stout Moray (Gymnothorax eurostus)
Atlantic "Chain-Link" Moray (Echidna catenata)
Jewel Moray (Muraena lentiginosa)
Golden Tail Moray (Gymnothorax miliaris)
White-Eyed Moray (Gymnothorax (Siderea) thyrsoidea)
Reticulated Moray (Muraena retifera)

Anyone have experience with these as far as aggression towards other eels?

I have a 70 gallon tall (36"H x 18"W x 30"T) that I could use. I was thinking about building tall "jungle gym" using black pvc to provide plenty of caves. Then covering it up with rockwork.

If I go that route what do you think would be the max number of ~2ft eels that would be comfortable in that tank. Let's assume that bioload is a non issue since I can design the system to handle whatever my ultimate goal is but I really don't know how much space eels really need since I've never kept them.

 

[LisaD]

I'd rather see you use a longer tank. I think two smaller eels, possibly pushing it at three, would be your maximum in that sized tank.

The Brazilian dragon moray I have is M retifera. I think they get about 30". It is out and about much more than the zebra moray, is an aggressive feeder, but should be fine with other morays. It is very cool looking because of the nasal "horns" and the its crest. This is the eel that was recently studied and documented as having esophageal jaws. I can believe it. All my BDM has to do is get its mouth on a food item, and it's on the way down its throat.

The jewel moray is related to M retifera, and is a nice eel.

I have kept chain link morays, also nice. These are "pebble toothed" eels, and will eat crabs and mollusks.

I don't have experience with the others. Stay away from the black edged moray (I forget the species). They are an Atlantic eel, attractive and small. I had one and it was one of the most aggressive, scary animals I've ever owned. It was a huge relief to find it a home!

 

[LisaD]

I think you need a tank at least 4 or 5 feet long, especially for more active eels like M retifera. I think your 3 foot tank is going to be a little cramped.

If I took out the fish in my tank, I think I could put 2-3 more of the smaller eels in my 5 foot long, custom 120 gallon tank.

I currently have a 3.5-4 foot zebra moray and the Brazilian dragon moray (which is currently around 2 feet) plus three decent sized fish.

I suspect that if you focus on smaller species that aren't noted as being especially aggressive, and if you keep the sizes similar, you will be fine. If you haven't already, read the moray eel chapter in Reef Fishes volume 1 (by Scott Michael). This has turned out to be my most useful reference book, especially for eels, frogfish and scorpions.

 

[LukFox]

LisaD, where is your source that says the Brazilian dragon is M. retifera? I know WWM says this, but they also had a lot of anthias mis- identifications that were sorted through in the reef fish forum. I wouldn't really trust it completely. The fishbase entry for M. retifera looks nothing like any Brazilian dragon I've seen- it doesn't even have "horns". The entry for M. pavonina however, the white spot moray, is identical, and only attains about 2 feet, which is basically the size of yours and mine. I know fishbase sometimes gets the size info wrong in some cases (like for the scopas tang entry), but overall I think it's very good for IDing.

Entry for pavonina: http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=27231

Entry for retifera:
http://fishbase.mnhn.fr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=2618

Just wondering, as if this is a mix up on WWM or fishbase it would be nice to figure it out and see what people think :].

 

[RichardS]

Thanks Lisa. The 70 won't really allow me to do the the rockwork the way I have in mind anyway. Guess I need to sell it, it's always too small or too big for anything I want to do with it. I have a good spot that will fit something 2' deep 30" tall and either 48 or 60 inches long. So I just need to see what the price difference is on those tanks. I'll probably go with 60"L.

So if you (or anyone) has an idea of what species you would stock in a tank of that size with let me know.

I did happen across this video of why I won't be getting a green moray (aside from their size)...
http://www.break.com/index/eel_bites_off_divers_thumb.html

 

[LisaD]

LukFox,

Mine was sold to me as BDM, and I thought it resembled pictures of M retifera. Looking at M pavonina, mine does have the longer horns, but doesn't have bright spots, they are duller. Whatever it is I have, it is one of my favorite eels.

RichardS,

I think you'll be a lot happier with a 4 to 5 foot tank. I'm not sure how easy it will be to find a 5 foot tank, mine was custom built for me by a friend in the aquarium business.

I would consider stocking with a mix different looking eels, or else eels that are all found in the same area. I'd screen for size, and also determine the eels would be compatible and not too aggressive with me. Do some of your research by reading the eel chapter in Reef Fishes volume 1 by Scott Michael. Good information on size and temperament, as well as decent pictures and how to ID.

There is a LFS in my area that stocks their morays 3 feet and under together in a moderately large tank (I'm guessing about a 90 gallon) and I've never seen any problems with the eels fighting.

 

[rottbo]

I had a 7" Echidna nebulosa (true snowflake eel) and a 20" gymnothorax tile (sold as freshwater snowfake) in a 76 for awhile untill the tile decided that the small fish looked to tempting but otherwise they did great together they even hung out together now the nebulosa still lives there with many tiny fish but the tile is in a tank alone.



a little note on gymnothorax tile 99.9% of the time this are sold in freshwater sections at LFS to anyone while they can live their life in full FW they really should be acclimated to SW in their later juvenile stages and thats what I did over a week long procee slowly aclimated him he is doing great and I think looks healthier in the SW then he did in the FW

 

[RichardS]

Thanks for the info on the tile Rottbo. That is one I had added to my list of possibilities. Plus it would feel good to save a "freshwater" moray.

 

[myerst2]

I have three morays together are some of the smaller species. They are housed with many other fish, i.e Borbonius, Rhinopias, Black Tang, emperor. Here's some pics of three eels. Yellow tail, Dwarf, and a Snowflake. They all get along great. Most important is to keep them well fed and have a spot that they can call their own, but most of the time they hang out together. Regards, Tim

 

[sunfishh]

Those eels look awesome myerst2 :thumbsup:

 

[rottbo]

saved my tile from petco for $20 I couldnt leave him there