Common name: Chestnut moray

Scientific name: Gymnothorax castaneus (Jordan & Gilbert, 1883)

General information

The Chestnut Moray Eel, Gymnothorax castaneus, is a lesser-known species in the aquarium trade but can be a fascinating addition to a fish-only or large predator tank. It is characterized by its brown to chestnut coloration and a slender body that can reach up to 30 inches in length in the wild.

Moray eels have a unique hunting method involving a second set of jaws in their throat called pharyngeal jaws, which they use to grasp prey and pull it into their digestive system.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 7.8 to 8.4
Average size
75 cm (2′6″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs hiding places
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live or frozen food
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May eat small fish/inverts
Aggression
Semi aggresive Can be aggressive if provoked
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
    Moray Eels
    Gymnothorax
  7. Species
    Chestnut moray
    Gymnothorax castaneus (Jordan & Gilbert, 1883)
  8. Synonyms
    Gymnothorax stigmanotus Fowler, 1912
    Sidera castanea Jordan & Gilbert, 1883

Care

Chestnut Moray Eels require a large aquarium with a tight-fitting lid to prevent escape. They need plenty of hiding spots and crevices within live rock to feel secure. A sandy substrate is also recommended to allow them to burrow if they choose to.

Their diet should consist of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and shrimp. It's important to feed them with tongs to avoid accidental bites, as moray eels have poor eyesight and rely heavily on their sense of smell.

Reproduction

Reproduction in moray eels is not commonly observed in the home aquarium. In the wild, they are oviparous, with females releasing eggs and males fertilizing them in the water column. Larvae are planktonic before settling to the bottom and maturing.

Habitat

The Chestnut Moray Eel is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, and south to New Caledonia. They typically inhabit coral reefs and rocky areas at depths ranging from 1 to 30 meters.