Enchelycore pardalis, Dragon Moray, who keeps them?

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davenmandy

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Feb 1, 2012
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I am taking the dive (see what I did there?) into saltwater eel keeping. Going straight from fresh water with a few large setups to a modest 200 gallon system for this eel. I will have a powerful skimmer, hoping to start with 150lbs dead rock and 50 lbs live rock. Crushed coral will likely be my substrate. I know enough to make caves for him, will have 3 nice sections of 3" pvc around the rocks, will secure the rocks so they don't fall. Will be running about 7-8x turnover with pumps as well as a fairly strong powerhead.

Anyone care to share specific experiences with this eel? The price tag screams NOT A BEGINNER EEL, but even though I am a beginner to salt I think through keeping freshwater aquariums for years as well as the help of friends I can troubleshoot any problems in time because I know eels are extremely hardy creatures. I also am not interested in keeping anything with this eel except, perhaps, another eel, but I want this to be a species only tank, want him to be a MONSTER centerpiece. I can mess around with triggers or puffers later, first things first get this tank up and going, cycled, and find my eel at a price that won't require me applying for another job. I know about the tight lids I need already, and know to feed about twice a week.

Anything specific anyone has noticed about these guys that I should know if before I buy one? Which locale (Japan or Hawaii) tends to have the brighter reds to it? Ideally the one I buy will already be eating dead food. How do you guys scrub for algae with a toothy monster like this? Are these guys particularly sensitive to nitrates or pristine water quality, like should I be going for a RODI right away or can I wait a few months till I find a good deal and save up a bit more?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. anyone know where to get a viper LOL???
 
I've seen them in the wild but dont have any experience housing that particular species of moray. The vipers they are kind of nasty, I always liked the mellow temperament of the snowflake. When we go Ulua fishing we catch morays of numerous species all night, to the point of being a huge burden; in fact alot of guys fish moray as bait to avoid catching them.
 
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Haha I bet, and ya the vipers look real nasty, that's why I would kill for one in the tank haha. Thanks for the post.
 
DB junkie DB junkie had/has some.
 
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Ya I think his priodon killed his last I heard, which is a tragedy. He had a nice community going for a good while, sort of my inspiration, especially that dragon he had.
 
The Prionodon had NOTHING to do with Mr. Nibblez dying. I acquired Mr Nibblez almost 10 years ago. When he arrived he was 32", only put on a few inches in those 10 years. I'm willing to bet he was pretty old when he arrived........

I will likely never own another. The price tag is expensive for something so common.....

Vipers are THE holy grail of Morays. IF I'm going to spend 4 digits on an eel, it would be one of them........
 
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Ya I would have no clue where to get a viper. If I could get one I would definitely spend the money if I could reasonably afford it. I have tracked down rare fish before, but this seems to be something that will likely lead to dead ends all around, so I do not have the motivation in me to start. If by any chance someone has a line on one, I am 100% interested, would likely actually cause me to never buy another fish again - peace. Im sure I could google it, but do you know the latin name for the viper eel off hand?

I suppose by not mentioning anything specific about the eels husbandry it is not much different to take care of than other eels (the dragon I mean)? I agree the tag is high, though it does range, however other than the tesselata or funebris I wouldn't be able to house for life, nothing spells MONSTER to me like those dragon teeth. This tank will be for pure enjoyment and sanity in the hobby. It is not something I want to change, upgrade, tinker with, improve, nothing. I want this to run and I want to admire the beast in there, hence why I don't mind spending for a dragon I can enjoy for 10 years. Any advice on what to look for when shopping around for one?
 
Wailua Boy said:
I've seen them in the wild but dont have any experience housing that particular species of moray. The vipers they are kind of nasty, I always liked the mellow temperament of the snowflake. When we go Ulua fishing we catch morays of numerous species all night, to the point of being a huge burden; in fact alot of guys fish moray as bait to avoid catching them.
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Think next time you're out fishing you can catch me a viper and send it over??
 
Enchelynassa canina or Enchelynassa formosa for the viper moray. The more I look into them, the more kinda bland and dopey they look even with their teeth, would almost rather stick with the dragon. Almost...
 
davenmandy said:
Think next time you're out fishing you can catch me a viper and send it over??
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Years ago we could actually do that but the salt water collection on the island I live on has halted. We dont see too many vipers in Hawaii and rarely catch them, mostly Yellowmargins(Gymothorax flavimarinatus), Yellowheads(ruepelliae) and Whitemouths(meleagris). Dragons are very seldom seen. As a youth I worked as a dive instructor logged over 2000 dives(stopped counting at 2000) and only know of 1 or 2
 
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