Common name: Zebra Moray Eel

Scientific name: Gymnomuraena zebra (Shaw, 1797)
Close-up view of a zebra moray (Gymnomuraena zebra)Zebra Moray Eel (Gymnomuraena zebra) - Galapagos Islands
Zebra moray eel with black background - Gymnomuraena zebraZebra Moray Eel Hidden in Coral Reef - Borneo, Malaysia

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

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Eels
    Anguilliformes
  5. Family
    Moray Eels
    Muraenidae
  6. Genus
    Zebra Moray Eel
    Gymnomuraena
  7. Species
    Zebra Moray Eel
    Gymnomuraena zebra (Shaw, 1797)
  8. Synonyms
    Echidna zebra (Shaw, 1797)
    Gymnomuraena doliata Lacépède, 1803
    Gymnomuraena fasciata Kaup, 1856
    Gymnothorax zebra Shaw, 1797
    Muraena molendinaris Bennett, 1833
    Muraena 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).