Common name: Honeycomb moray

Scientific name: Gymnothorax favagineus Bloch & Schneider, 1801

General information

The Honeycomb Moray, also known as the Laced Moray or Leopard Moray, is a striking species of moray eel with a distinctive pattern that resembles a honeycomb, hence its common name. This pattern provides excellent camouflage among the reefs and rocky crevices it inhabits. Gymnothorax favagineus is known for its robust size and can become a centerpiece in a large marine aquarium.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
750 liter (200 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
Temperature
22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 7.8 to 8.4
Average size
2 m (6′7″)
Care level
Moderate to difficult Needs hiding places & large tank
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live food, can adapt to frozen
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May eat small fish & inverts
Aggression
Aggresive Can be aggressive, especially when hungry
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
    Honeycomb moray
    Gymnothorax favagineus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
  8. Synonyms
    Enchelycore favagineus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
    Gymnothorax favagiensis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
    Gymnothorax permistus (Smith, 1962)
    Gymnothorax tessellata (Richardson, 1845)
    Lycodontis favagineus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
    Lycodontis permistus Smith, 1962
    Lycodontis tessellata (Richardson, 1845)
    Muraena tessellata Richardson, 1845
    Muraena tessellata intermedia Günther, 1870
    Muraena tessellata intermedia Günther, 1870

Care

Caring for a Honeycomb Moray requires a spacious aquarium with plenty of hiding places to mimic its natural environment. They are carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to feed them using tongs to avoid accidental bites, as they have poor eyesight and rely heavily on their sense of smell.

Reproduction

In the wild, Honeycomb Morays are oviparous, with females releasing eggs into the water column to be fertilized externally by males. Breeding in captivity is rare and not well documented, making it a challenge for advanced hobbyists.

Habitat

Gymnothorax favagineus is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They prefer reef environments and are often found in crevices and caves at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 50 meters deep.