Common name: Klausewitz' garden eel

General information

Klausewitz's Garden Eel, scientifically known as Gorgasia klausewitzi, is a unique and fascinating species that adds a touch of the exotic to any marine aquarium. These eels are known for their slender, elongated bodies and distinctive coloration, featuring a series of white and black bands along their length. They are a part of the Congridae family, which includes other garden eel species.

In the wild, these eels are typically found in sandy areas adjacent to coral reefs where they form colonies. They are shy and reclusive, spending most of their time partially buried in the sand with only their upper bodies exposed, swaying with the current as they filter-feed on plankton.

Care

Caring for Klausewitz's Garden Eel requires a specialized setup to mimic their natural habitat. An aquarium with a deep sand bed is essential, as these eels need to burrow to feel secure. The tank should also have a gentle current to facilitate their filter-feeding behavior. It's important to cover the aquarium, as garden eels are known to be skilled escape artists.

Feeding can be challenging since they primarily eat zooplankton. Hobbyists should provide a varied diet of live and frozen foods like brine shrimp, copepods, and other small crustaceans.

Reproduction

Reproduction in the home aquarium is rare for Klausewitz's Garden Eel. In the wild, they engage in a unique spawning behavior where they rise out of their burrows and release eggs and sperm into the water column.

Habitat

Klausewitz's Garden Eel is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific Ocean. They prefer sandy bottoms near coral reefs, typically at depths ranging from 7 to 45 meters (23 to 148 feet).