Common name: Zebra garden eel

General information

The Zebra Garden Eel, scientifically known as Heteroconger polyzona, is a captivating and unique species that adds a dynamic element to any marine aquarium. These eels are known for their distinctive zebra-like stripes and their interesting behavior of living partially buried in the sand. They are a part of the Congridae family, which includes other garden eel species.

Care

Zebra Garden Eels require a specialized aquarium setup that mimics their natural sandy habitat. A deep sand bed and a gentle current are essential to accommodate their burrowing lifestyle. They are shy creatures and should be kept in groups to help them feel secure. Feeding can be challenging as they prefer live foods like zooplankton, but they may adapt to frozen alternatives over time.

Reproduction

In the wild, Zebra Garden Eels are known to form colonies with hundreds of individuals. They reproduce by broadcast spawning, where eggs and sperm are released into the water column. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but maintaining a group increases the likelihood of observing reproductive behavior.

Habitat

Heteroconger polyzona is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to Japan and Australia. They inhabit sandy areas adjacent to reefs and are typically seen poking out of the sand, where they filter feed on plankton passing by in the current.