Zebra Moray Eel (Asia Pacific)

Pebble Tooth eels have poor eyesight but make up for it with exceptional scent and tactile senses. They typically poke their nose around to find food, often bumping into it before biting. They eat mostly crabs and other hard shelled creatures, and less commonly other fish. They are considered quite safe with large bodied fish too big to swallow; however, sick or injured fish may be too tempting to resist and the eel may attempt to consume them. They are carnivores and should be fed at least once every two or three days a high quality diet of krill, silversides and chopped seafood. Use of a feeding stick may be necessary. We never recommend using ones fingers to feed an eel as the eel may become excited and bite, which may lead to infection. Eel bites should be thoroughly washed and disinfected. They are heavy feeders and thus strong filtration is necessary.

A gentle giant, the Zebra Moray is one of the most docile eels and is the best choice to keep with other fish as it will not hurt its fish tank mates or its owner. From the tip of its snout to the end its tail it is covered in stripes which may range from inky black to dark chocolate, over a background of snowy white to pale cream. But is it light with dark stripes or dark with light stripes? The Zebra Moray grows to 59 inches and should be kept in an aquarium of at least 125 gallons.

We recommend a tight fitting lid for all eel species. They are incredible escape artists, powerful enough to lift themselves out of the water and push on a lid or squeeze through small spaces. Care should also be taken when acclimating so the fish does not escape onto the floor.

Their aquarium should provide plenty of secure rockwork- larger species may topple unstable decor or dig under the sand. At least two caves should be provided for each eel, large enough it can fully hide itself when needed. When feeling secure most eels will poke their head out of their cave for the majority of the day. Eels are safe with all corals, sponges and macro algaes, to which they have no interest.

Extreme caution should be used if considering adding more than one eel to an aquarium as they may attack one another.