Freshwater Moray Eel

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T

tscharf

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 17, 2009
1,291
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Bowie MD
So my girlfriend got me a freshwater moray eel from the local pet store the other day and I just want to find out a little me information about them. I know that they prefer brackish water but they can survive in a completely freshwater environment. Right now Id says hes between 5 and 6inches and maybes 1/4 to 1/2 in around. Hes got brown skin with yello spots all over his body and then small red sacs just behind his head which inflate and deflate, I think he uses them to breathe. All in all, except for the color, he looks exactly like a smaller version of his saltwater counterparts. Right now I'm feeding him rosey red and frozen blood worms. Hes currently housed in a 5 1/2 gallon tank with 2 small columbian sharks. Once he gets largers I'll be able to move him to a 10, 55, 90, and then to a 125.

Does ayone have any other information about these guys for me?
 
These guys are not really freshwater... Treat them as brackish-full marine fish.
 
Sounds like a G. Tile ... pics would help.. but 99% sure it's a brackish/Saltwater eel. The eels migrate upstream to breed.. and the juviniles do well in FW.. but will need brackish/SW when adults. at That size I would suggest nothing smaller then a 10gal. and preferably a 20. Cover the tank opening, eels are notorious jumpers. frozen krill is usually a great delight. and most frozen foods are readily taken. I'de watch useing feeders unless they are properly quarantined first. Eels ime are sensitive to disease and sensitive to meds as a general rule. I use to feed the ones at work frozen silversides,krill, beefheart, mysis, and any other meaty foods I could find. INcludeing squid and some of the ON's Shark/ray frozen cube packs. Just make sure all frozen food is properly thawed first.
 
Gotcha , thanks for the help. Any idea at what rate i should start converting him over to saltwater? yea the 5.5 is just temp for now, ive got a 90 gallon hes gunna go in for a while.
 
I would just increase the salinity a bit each water change to mimic the migration. Start slow and increase gradually over a 3 month time period until you hit 1.018 or so. I don't think you need to go much higher than that. What do you plan on keeping him with.
 
Well aslong as there isnt to big of a size difference i plan on keeping him with 2 columbian sharks, but he gets to big or something else happens then i dont know. any suggestions?
 
columbians? what I know as a silvertip shark? catfish w/ white, and grey/greenish skin? and very "catfish" looking?.. should be fine brackish/salt species too. Though they may get way bigger then your eel size wise. a 2' eel is relatively small. IF kept alone would be happy in a 75gal in all likelyhood, as a min size. I doubt you'de have any issues w/ the combo. long as the eel had places to hide. catfish.. any catfish will eat anything it can suck down.. and the eel being a bottom dweller. eh.. It'd be hit or miss imo. But I've never kept either together as adult fish. Follow your gut instinct I'de say. And might try inquireing about them in the SW forum.
 
ah ok cool... yea ill deff keep an eye on them to make sure neithe of them are getting picked on
 
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