Common name: Manytooth garden eel

General information

The Spotted Garden Eel, Heteroconger perissodon, is a unique and fascinating species that adds a touch of the exotic to any marine aquarium. These eels are known for their slender bodies and distinctive spotted patterns. Unlike their larger moray cousins, garden eels are small and relatively peaceful, making them suitable for community tanks with appropriate tankmates.

Care

Spotted Garden Eels require a deep sand bed to burrow and establish their colonies. They are shy and prefer a quiet tank with minimal disturbance. Feeding can be challenging as they primarily consume zooplankton in the water column. A varied diet of mysis shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and prepared foods for planktivores is essential.

Reproduction

In the wild, Spotted Garden Eels reproduce by broadcasting their eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but providing a stress-free environment with plenty of space may encourage natural behaviors.

Habitat

These eels are found in sandy areas near reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. They typically live in colonies where each individual maintains a burrow from which they rarely stray far. They are observed at depths ranging from 7 to 45 meters.

Geographical distribution includes the Western Pacific from the Philippines to Australia and eastward to the Line Islands.