Common name: painted moray

Scientific name: Gymnothorax pictus (Ahl, 1789)
Peppered Moray - Siderea PictaPeppered moray eel (Siderea picta) in the southern Red Sea
Peppered Moray Eel - Siderea PictaPeppered Moray - Siderea Picta

General information

The Painted Moray, Gymnothorax pictus, is a striking and somewhat elusive species that adds a touch of drama to any marine aquarium. Known for its distinctive pattern of black spots and blotches against a creamy yellow background, this moray eel can grow to a considerable size, making it a centerpiece in larger tanks.

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 spots
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 to tankmates
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
    painted moray
    Gymnothorax pictus (Ahl, 1789)
  8. Synonyms
    Gymnothorax hilonis Jordan & Evermann, 1903
    Muraena atomaria Solander in Richardson, 1848
    Muraena elegantissima Kaup, 1856
    Muraena erythroptera Solander in Richardson, 1848
    Muraena picta Ahl, 1789
    Muraena siderea Richardson, 1848
    Siderea picta (Ahl, 1789)
    Sideria picta (Ahl, 1789)

Care

Caring for a Painted Moray requires a spacious aquarium with plenty of rockwork and hiding places to mimic its natural habitat. They are carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. Caution is advised when maintaining the tank, as moray eels can deliver a powerful bite if threatened.

Reproduction

In the wild, moray eels 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 for this species.

Habitat

Gymnothorax pictus is typically 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 prefer reef environments and are often found in crevices or under overhangs at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters.