Common name: Moreia verde

General information

The Green Moray Eel (Gymnothorax funebris) is a large and impressive species that can be a captivating addition to a spacious marine aquarium. Despite its common name, the Green Moray's coloration is actually a dark brown to almost black, with a yellowish mucus covering its skin that gives it a greenish appearance. This mucus layer protects the eel from parasites and infections. They are solitary creatures and can grow quite large, reaching up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) in length in the wild, although in captivity they usually grow to about half that size.

Care

Green Moray Eels require a large and well-secured aquarium, with a minimum size of 900 liters (240 gallons) to accommodate their size and swimming needs. They are escape artists, so a tightly fitting lid is essential. These eels are carnivorous and prefer a diet of fresh or frozen fish, squid, and octopus. It's important to feed them with tongs to avoid accidental bites, as they have poor eyesight and a strong bite.

Reproduction

Breeding Green Moray Eels in captivity is extremely rare and not well-documented. In the wild, they are oviparous, with females releasing large amounts of eggs that are fertilized externally by the male. The larvae are planktonic and drift in the open ocean before settling down and maturing.

Habitat

Green Moray Eels are found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, from New Jersey, USA, to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They prefer reef environments and rocky areas where they can find crevices and caves to hide during the day, emerging at night to hunt.