Gymnothorax polyuranodon

Common Names:

Freshwater Moray Eel
Freshwater Snowflake Eel

Synonyms:

Lycodontis polyuranodon
Muraena polyuranodon

Family:

Muraenidae

Category:

OthersFW

Distribution:

Indo Pacific; Fiji

Main Ecosystem:

Lake; Lake

Temperament:

Reclusive; Generally peaceful and shy. However, it may mistakingly attack other tankmates if it smells food, due to its very poor eyesight.

Diet:

Carnivore; Once you get this eel to start eating in captivity (which will require much patience), it is not hard to feed at all. Use large, chunky foods, but not larger than the width of the eel's head (anything larger will be difficult to swallow). Foods such as chunks of meat, shrimp, feeder fish, and frozen silversides are relished.

These eels are almost blind and will eat only what they can smell out. This eel can go up to three months without eating, and in many cases will have never fed at your local fish store.

Care:

This eel seems to do equally well in freshwater, brackish water, and pure saltwater. They need a very large tank and a few hiding places, PVC pipe or rock with deep caves are a must to get the eel to relax. The tank MUST be tightly covered, as these fish are not afraid to leave the water when they smell food, and can fit through even the tiniest of gaps.

pH:

8 - 8.5

Temperature:

26°C - 29°C

79°F - 84°F

Hardness:

Potential Size:

Male: 90cm (35.4")
Female: 90cm (35.4")

Water Region:

Bottom; Bottom

Activity:

Nocturnal; Nocturnal

Gender:

Unknown.

Breeding:

Extremely difficult

Variants:

Comments:

This eel is difficult to keep, and should therefore be kept only by expert aquarists. Despite the name "Freshwater Moray", this eel is actually a brackish water fish, so slight salt content (specific gravity of 1.008 - 1.012) is better.

Main Colours:

Brown

Markings:

Spots Small

Mouth:

Normal

Tail:

Convex

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Image Credit:

;dthurs

Submitted By:

dthurs

Contributors:

Natalie

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