Common name: Zebra Moray Eel
General information
The Zebra Moray Eel (Gymnomuraena zebra) is a distinctive and attractive species known for its bold black and white zebra-like striping. This species is a part of the Muraenidae family and is one of the more popular moray eels in the aquarium trade due to its relatively docile nature and striking appearance. Unlike many other moray eels, the Zebra Moray Eel primarily feeds on crustaceans in the wild, using its blunt, molar-like teeth to crush hard shells.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 1.5 m (4′11″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Needs hiding spots and open sand
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers meaty foods, shrimp, and fish
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be aggressive to tank mates
- Captive bred
- No
- Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderEelsAnguilliformes
- FamilyMoray EelsMuraenidae
- GenusZebra Moray EelGymnomuraena
- SpeciesZebra Moray EelGymnomuraena zebra (Shaw, 1797)
- SynonymsEchidna zebra (Shaw, 1797)Gymnomuraena doliata Lacépède, 1803Gymnomuraena fasciata Kaup, 1856Gymnothorax zebra Shaw, 1797Muraena molendinaris Bennett, 1833Muraena zebra (Shaw, 1797)Poecilophis zebra (Shaw, 1797)
Care
Zebra Moray Eels require a large aquarium with a tight-fitting lid to prevent escape. They are generally peaceful towards other large fish but may prey on small fish and invertebrates. A varied diet of meaty foods, including shrimp, squid, and specially formulated eel foods, is essential for their health. They are known to be shy and will need plenty of hiding places within live rock formations.
Reproduction
In the aquarium, breeding Zebra Moray Eels is extremely rare. In the wild, they are oviparous, with females releasing eggs into the water column to be fertilized externally by the male. The larvae are planktonic before settling to the bottom and maturing into adults.
Habitat
Zebra Moray Eels are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the eastern coast of Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, and from Japan to Australia. They inhabit coral reefs and rocky crevices, typically at depths of up to 40 meters (130 feet).