Common name: Mediterranean moray
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
- Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderEelsAnguilliformes
- FamilyMoray EelsMuraenidae
- GenusMoray EelsMuraena
- SpeciesMediterranean morayMuraena helena Linnaeus, 1758
- SynonymsGymnothorax muraena Bloch & Schneider, 1801Limamuraena guttata (Risso, 1827)Limmamuraena guttata (Risso, 1827)Muraena australiae Richardson, 1848Muraena bettencourti Osório, 1911Muraena guttata Risso, 1827Muraena helaena Linnaeus, 1758Muraena helena australiae Richardson, 1848Muraena punctata Rafinesque, 1810Muraena romana Shaw, 1803Muraena variegata Rafinesque, 1810Muraena vorax Ogilby, 1907Muraenophis bettencourti (Osório, 1911)Muraenophis fulva Risso, 1810Muraenophis 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.