Common name: Mediterranean moray

Scientific name: Muraena helena Linnaeus, 1758

General information

The Mediterranean Moray, Muraena helena, is a species of moray eel found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is a solitary and secretive creature, often hiding in crevices and rocky outcrops during the day. This species is known for its distinctive serpentine body and sharp teeth, which make it an efficient predator.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
500 liter (130 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
1.5 m (4′11″)
Care level
Moderate to difficult Needs hiding places and large tank
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live or frozen foods
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May eat smaller fish/inverts
Aggression
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
    Muraena
  7. Species
    Mediterranean moray
    Muraena helena Linnaeus, 1758
  8. Synonyms
    Gymnothorax muraena Bloch & Schneider, 1801
    Limamuraena guttata (Risso, 1827)
    Limmamuraena guttata (Risso, 1827)
    Muraena australiae Richardson, 1848
    Muraena bettencourti Osório, 1911
    Muraena guttata Risso, 1827
    Muraena helaena Linnaeus, 1758
    Muraena helena australiae Richardson, 1848
    Muraena punctata Rafinesque, 1810
    Muraena romana Shaw, 1803
    Muraena variegata Rafinesque, 1810
    Muraena vorax Ogilby, 1907
    Muraenophis bettencourti (Osório, 1911)
    Muraenophis fulva Risso, 1810
    Muraenophis helena (Linnaeus, 1758)
    Murenophis bettencourti (Osório, 1911)
    Thyrsoidea atlantica Johnson, 1862

Care

Keeping a Mediterranean Moray in a home aquarium requires a large tank with plenty of hiding places to mimic its natural environment. They are carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. Caution is advised when handling these eels, as they can deliver a powerful bite if threatened.

Reproduction

Little is known about the reproductive habits of the Mediterranean Moray in the wild. In captivity, breeding these eels is extremely rare and not well-documented. They are oviparous, with females releasing eggs that are fertilized externally by the male.

Habitat

The Mediterranean Moray typically resides in shallow waters, often found at depths ranging from the shoreline to around 80 meters. They prefer rocky substrates and can be found in coastal lagoons and rocky reefs, where they spend most of their time concealed within the reef structure.