Aquarium moray eel: how to keep and care for fish

A huge variety of large ornamental fish allows you to populate large aquariums with inhabitants of all shapes and colors of amazing beauty and grace. But if you dream of real exoticism, pay attention to moray eels - “monsters” unique in appearance and habits, which will be discussed in this article.

To get enough oxygen, the fish has to constantly open its “terrible” mouth, studded with sharp teeth.

General description with appearance

Scientists count more than 120 species of this animal, most of them live in salt water, but there are also freshwater specimens.

Moray eels scientific name: Muraena, belong to the order of ray-finned fish, the order of eels. In appearance they are more like snakes or large leeches. Their closest relatives are considered to be eels.

Scientists suggest that the animals descended from tetrapods, the ancestors of alligators, crocodiles, and other four-legged amphibians, who preferred to live near small bodies of water, in shallow water with many reefs, rocks, and gorges. There are species of moray eels whose body is covered with poisonous mucus and such a moray eel can cause a burn to a person by touch.

Due to the abundance of food in the aquatic environment, they did not need to go to land. As a result of the aquatic and terrestrial lifestyle, the hind legs of the animal’s ancestors were first transformed into fins, and then, due to lack of necessity, disappeared altogether.

Thus, tetrapods evolved into moray eels. But not all scientists agree with this hypothesis.

Predators have a large head on a snake-like elongated body. The head is distinguished by rounded gill openings, a large jaw with sharp hooked teeth and eyes with an evil expression.

For greater oxygen saturation, the fish's mouth is almost always open, allowing large volumes of water to pass through. Some species of moray eels have internal teeth in the throat, which, when attacked, move forward and, capturing prey, drag it into the esophagus.

The flattened body is covered with hard skin, without scales, which is often lubricated by a thick layer of mucus. The secret helps fish penetrate narrow shelters without injuring their bodies on sharp stones.
You can observe a vertical type caudal fin, which provides the fish with mobility and maneuverability when moving.

Pelvic and pectoral fins are absent. Predators move in the water column like snakes, actively bending their bodies. But they cannot develop high speed in water.
The camouflage color of moray eels varies, depending on the species and living conditions. It may be brown or gray in color and have small spots. The belly of all fish of this species is light in color and uniform.

These fish in nature can reach gigantic sizes - up to 370 cm in length and weigh more than 40 kg. Their average length is 60 cm, and aquarium specimens are half as long.

Lifestyle

The giant moray eel leads a solitary lifestyle and is active mainly at night. It feeds on any fish, cephalopods or large crustaceans it can catch. This species of moray eels is not found deeper than 50 meters. Sometimes the giant moray eel hunts during the day, cooperating with the sea bass Plectropomus pessuliferus
: the perch helps the moray eel find hidden fish, and the moray eel from time to time gives the caught prey to the perch.

This species prefers clean lagoons and reef slopes facing the sea. Often found along deep cliffs and slopes, like all moray eels, it leads a benthic lifestyle. Juveniles are more secretive and live in the intertidal zone of flat coral reefs.

Due to its position at the top of the coral reef food chain, this moray eel has been reported to have the toxin ciguatera.

Relationships with other predators

Giant moray eels are at the top of the food pyramid and are believed to have no serious natural predators. On the contrary, adult giant moray eels often attack reef sharks. In one such incident, a moray eel severely (possibly even fatally) injured a juvenile. There has also been at least one successful attack on a tiger shark. There have also been cases of unprovoked attacks on scuba divers.

Lifestyle and character

Moray eels are solitary animals, although they live in shelters in the same territory, next to each other.
The lifestyle and habitat of fish is extremely interesting. Moray eels are nocturnal predators. When the sun sets, they come out from behind their shelters to actively hunt, but they do not chase prey, but eat all the living creatures they encounter on their way. Their favorite treat is octopuses, which they can chase.

The predator detects the prey using the lateral line and a well-developed sense of smell, while vision does not play an important role. A fish poses a danger to humans only if the person himself inadvertently disturbed the predator.

The fish can lie in ambush and wait. Nasal tubes extend from the moray eel's nostrils, facilitating the rapid detection of prey. Then there is an instant throw at the target, using the outer and inner jaws.

Danger to humans

25 creepy inhabitants of the deep sea (23 photos + 2 GIFs)

It has long been believed that these toothy creatures do not attack unless provoked or disturbed in their natural habitat. But the events of recent years show: they can be dangerous for a person regardless of his behavior.

Moray eel bite

Many people have found out what it is without provoking bottom hunters in any way:

2015 - Irish scuba diver Jimmy Griffin was unexpectedly attacked in the face - bitten on the right cheek near the mouth. The grip was like that of a pit bull, the diver was shaken like a rag toy, he lost his breathing tube and almost died. The photograph immediately after the injury is scary to look at. 20 stitches. Fortunately, plastic surgeons stitched up the cheek perfectly. That same year, in Hawaii, a local surfer was bitten on the leg (not teasing anyone, he was surfing!);
2017 - a resident of the island of Crete was cleaning the day's catch near the water - apparently, the attack occurred due to the smell of blood and offal. The woman was bitten on the hand. She was urgently taken to the hospital in Elounda, where doctors treated deep wounds - otherwise the patient could have been left without fingers;
2018 - Polish master of underwater photography Bartosz Lukasik in the South African Bay of Sodwana filmed the communication of two individuals - only later did he realize that it was a mating ritual. The male chased the photographer for 15 meters - fortunately, he did not bite.

Important! When meeting these predators (especially at the mouth of a river, where they may be forced to find themselves), remember that they sometimes attack unmotivated. Stay away

Specialists in their behavior know how to communicate with them and feed them by hand - but for a beginner such an experience is traumatic.

Natural habitat conditions

Most moray eels prefer warm, salty waters. They are common in the Red and Mediterranean seas, in certain areas of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans.

Moray eel can be distinguished:

stellar

snowflake

elegant

geometric, etc.

They love shallow waters, coral reefs, gorges and other shelters. Rarely do they descend to a depth of more than 40 m. For most of their lives, the fish stays in shelters, lying in wait for passing prey.

In mangrove swamps, in the estuaries of rivers with variable salinity of water due to the influence of tides, you can find a freshwater moray eel, which can stay in fresh water for a long time. Its habitat is considered to be the coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean - from Australia to India.

By the way, about teeth

Organic world of the Atlantic Ocean
The bite of a moray eel is dangerous not only because it can easily chop off a finger or some other part of the body. The fish's mouth is simply teeming with pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, having bitten a person, it can instantly start infection processes, which will lead to death if measures are not taken quickly.

The beauty's teeth are unusual. They are sharp, like razors, and curved inward. This is an ideal weapon for “ripping open the bellies” of small fish. The victim may not even try to escape from the tenacious fangs - this will only worsen the situation. After all, moray eels have a second set of teeth, closer to the throat. They are called pharyngeal jaws, and with their help individuals push their prey down the throat.

That's why the unfortunate diver couldn't even pick up his bitten off finger. The fish quickly swallowed it. And the doctors had to sew on the poor fellow’s “non-native” finger. Let's hope it takes root successfully!

Features of keeping in an aquarium

Keeping moray eels in aquariums is fraught with great difficulties. For a comfortable stay of fish in the aquarium, you should adhere to the following rules:

For one adult, the container must have a volume of at least 300 liters.
The water should be clear, clean, well saturated with oxygen. A weekly change of 50% of the water volume is required.
Water temperature - at least 24-27 °C.
The water should be brackish, at the rate of 15 g of sea salt per 1 liter.
Dim lighting.

Creating multi-level shelters where you could hide. Pipes made of high-quality plastic, stones, without sharp corners and edges are suitable for this.
The placement of cohabitants that have a beneficial effect on the existence of predators - cleaner fish, starfish, etc.
Covering the aquarium with a lid so that the moray eel cannot get out of the water.

Barracuda

There are other predators that like to hunt in reefs. This predator is distinguished by a lightning-fast attack and a swimming style reminiscent of the flight of an arrow - we are talking about a barracuda. With a body length ranging from 30 cm to, in rare cases, 2 meters, the barracuda is inferior in size to other sea hunters, but this is compensated by the speed of movement. Her arrow-like, extremely slender and streamlined body allows her to swim twice as fast as a motorboat over short distances.

The barracuda's mouth is equipped with huge fangs, mainly located in the lower jaw. The teeth, sharp as scissors, penetrate deeply into the flesh of the victim and cause very serious wounds. These silvery, fast creatures are masters of observation, they have excellent eyesight, they have an excellent ability to navigate, even in muddy water, this helps them easily find prey.

Head of a large barracuda

Often, barracudas settle in the waters of sea harbors, or in bays often visited by tourists, this inevitably leads them to unplanned meetings with people.

Adult barracudas are very self-confident; they fiercely defend their territory from aliens, be they marine or human. Some barracudas settle on rocky shallows, where, as if in a fortress, they spend time between reef hunting sessions. When it comes to speed, barracudas have no equal; they leave their victims no time to think.

The barracuda's mouth slams shut in just 41 milliseconds. If there were races in the ocean, barracudas would, of course, be first at the finish line. Once the barracuda accelerates, it moves through the water like a torpedo. Barracuda is the fastest of the sea inhabitants, capable of reaching speeds of about 50 km per hour.

Little is known about the reproduction of barracudas. Like most bony fish, they lay their eggs directly into the water, where the larvae then develop into adults. An adult barracuda will never be satisfied with a trifle, but will prefer to hunt for mackerel in the open sea. These fast-moving fish can even catch up with young tuna. Barracudas are found not only in the Pacific Ocean, but also in tropical and subtropical seas, and have even been spotted in the Mediterranean Sea.

Barracudas are very fast and deadly predators that are quite widespread in the world. Compared to other predators, their main weapon is speed and surprise of attack. Even if we sometimes want the victim to escape from this killer, the barracuda is an important facet of the diversity of the underwater world. And we are lucky that such skilled hunters live in our oceans.

Diet and feeding frequency

The predator's diet includes:

octopuses

squid

sea urchins

cuttlefish

various fish, etc.

The moray eel in the aquarium should receive fresh food - crustaceans, small fish, mussels, squid, shrimp, etc. Pets can be gradually accustomed to frozen seafood. Until the habit of living in captivity is formed, the moray eel may refuse food for a long time.

Feeding moray eel video on Instagram.

Adult aquarium fish should be fed 2-3 times a week. Young individuals need daily feeding.

Muraena Helena

Most common. These predators live in holes in coral reefs and recesses of underwater rocks. The choice of such a habitat is not accidental and is directly related to the nature and method of its hunting. She hides in secluded places, only sticking her head out slightly, and when the time comes, she attacks the unsuspecting victim with lightning speed. The marine inhabitants suffering from her gluttony include the following:

Octopuses;
Cancers;
Small fish;
Crabs;
Cuttlefish.

If the prey is small, it quickly deals with it with the help of its terrifying teeth. When she comes across something larger, for example, an octopus, she tears small pieces from him. Even the natural protection of crayfish in the form of a shell cannot save them from their powerful jaws. Wild moray eel (Muraenesox ferox)

Of all the species, it is most similar to a snake due to the greater length of its head and its conical shape. It has small brown spots on its sides. The habitat includes the subtropical zone of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.

Reproduction in captivity

The breeding process of moray eels occurs as follows.
At the right time (in natural conditions - during the winter months), female fish swim to shallow water, where they spawn. After this, they leave this place in search of food. Then the males swim here and randomly and chaotically fertilize the eggs.

After about 14 days, larvae hatch from the eggs, no more than 10 mm in size - leptocephali, which are carried by the current throughout the shallow water.

The larvae are vulnerable, 1 in 100 survive. Moray eels reach sexual maturity at 6 years.

At home, reproduction of these fish is very difficult. Only specialists can do this.

The appropriate climatic conditions, which are difficult to create at home, must encourage the fish to spawn. Therefore, females refuse to lay eggs or eat their eggs immediately after laying.

Moray eel nutrition

The diet of moray eels consists of various fish, cuttlefish, sea urchins, octopuses and crabs. During the day, moray eels hide among all kinds of shelters from corals and stones, while possessing excellent camouflage abilities.

At night, fish go out hunting and, using their excellent sense of smell, track down prey. Features of the body structure allow moray eels to pursue their prey.

If the prey turns out to be too large for the moray eel, it begins to intensively help itself with its tail. The fish makes a kind of “knot”, which, passing along the entire body, creates great pressure in the jaw muscles, reaching up to one ton. As a result, the moray eel bites off a significant piece of its prey, at least partially satisfying the feeling of hunger.