Common name: Spotted garden eel

Scientific name: Heteroconger hassi (Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959)

General information

The Spotted Garden Eel, Heteroconger hassi, is a fascinating and unique addition to the marine aquarium. These eels are known for their distinctive spotted patterns and slender bodies, which can reach up to 40 cm in length. They are often seen in groups, protruding from sandy substrates in the wild, swaying with the currents as they feed on plankton.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
150 liter (40 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.022 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8 to 8.4
Average size
40 cm (1′4″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs sandbed for burrowing
Diet
Carnivore Enjoys mysis, brine shrimp
Social
Harem Prefers groups, sandbed space needed
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Eels
    Anguilliformes
  5. Family
    Conger eels
    Congridae
  6. Genus
    Garden Eel
    Heteroconger
  7. Species
    Spotted garden eel
    Heteroconger hassi (Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959)
  8. Synonyms
    Leptocephalus maculatus Della Croce & Castle, 1966
    Taenioconger haasi (Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959)
    Taenioconger hassi neocaledoniensis Castle, 1967
    Xarifania hassi Klausewitz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1959

Care

Spotted Garden Eels require a specialized aquarium setup that replicates their natural environment. A deep sand bed is essential for them to burrow and establish their territories. They are shy and peaceful creatures that should be kept with non-aggressive tank mates. Feeding can be challenging as they prefer live or frozen foods like mysis shrimp and brine shrimp that drift by in the water column.

Reproduction

In the wild, Spotted Garden Eels are known to form colonies with complex social structures. They are not commonly bred in captivity due to their specific requirements and the difficulty in simulating their natural reproductive behaviors.

Habitat

Native to the Indo-Pacific region, Heteroconger hassi is typically found in sandy burrows at depths ranging from 7 to 45 meters. They are a coastal species, often observed in areas with strong currents which aid in their planktonic feeding habits.