Common name: conger moray

Scientific name: Gymnothorax miliaris (Kaup, 1856)

General information

The Goldentail Moray (Gymnothorax miliaris) is a striking species of moray eel found in the tropical Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It is known for its vibrant yellow tail and beautiful patterned body, which makes it a visually appealing addition to any marine aquarium. Despite its fierce appearance, it is relatively docile towards humans but can be aggressive towards tank mates.

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
60 cm (2′)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs hiding places & careful handling
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, 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
    conger moray
    Gymnothorax miliaris (Kaup, 1856)
  8. Synonyms
    Gymnothorax elaboratus (Poey, 1860)
    Gymnothorax flavopictus (Kaup, 1856)
    Gymnothorax irregularis (Kaup, 1856)
    Gymnothorax scriptus Poey, 1867
    Lycodontis elaboratus (Poey, 1860)
    Lycodontis flavopictus (Kaup, 1856)
    Lycodontis irregularis (Kaup, 1856)
    Lycodontis miliaris (Kaup, 1856)
    Muraena aurea Mowbray, 1931
    Muraena elaborata Poey, 1860
    Muraena flavopicta (Kaup, 1856)
    Muraena irregularis (Kaup, 1856)
    Muraena miliaris (Kaup, 1856)
    Muraena multiocellata Poey, 1860
    Muraena myrialeucostictus Fowler, 1912
    Muraena trinitatis Miranda Ribeiro, 1919
    Murenophis miliaris (Kaup, 1856)
    Sidera elaborata (Poey, 1860)
    Sidera miliaris (Kaup, 1856)
    Thrysoidea miliaris Kaup, 1856

Care

Goldentail Morays require a well-structured aquarium with plenty of hiding places to feel secure. They can grow up to 24 inches in length, so a larger tank is necessary to accommodate their size. These eels are carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and shrimp. It's important to feed them with tongs to avoid accidental bites, as they have poor eyesight and rely heavily on their sense of smell.

Reproduction

In the wild, Goldentail Morays are solitary creatures and come together only to breed. Little is known about their breeding habits in the wild, and breeding them in captivity is extremely rare and not well documented.

Habitat

Goldentail Morays are typically found in coral reef environments and rocky areas where they can find shelter in crevices. They prefer shallow waters but can be found at depths of up to 150 feet. Their natural range extends from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea.