Fresh Water Moray Eels

[szidlon]

I saw some fresh water moray eels at a LFS today and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them.  They were certainly eyecatching but I fear their gallon requirements would exceed my space.  They were about 12 - 15 inches long and seemed to be quite healthy.  I think he said they were $15.99.  You know how that .99 has to be on everything.  I know I don't get out much but this is my first sighting of fw moray eels.

[Mzungu]

Re: Fresh Water Moray Eels

Don't think they are really FW...were they "snowflake morays?" Or something different?

[szidlon]

Re: Fresh Water Moray Eels

He just said moray, they were gray and I didn't notice any other color on them.  They were in freshwater and didn't seem to be stressed at all.  They looked like the real thing, sharp little teeth and all  8O .  I'm assuming they would really need brackish in the long run.

[Hanson77]

Re: Fresh Water Moray Eels

I have heard that they can be adapted to freshwater slowly but a brackish set up is better for them from what I have heard.  Where did you see them at?

[Hanson77]

Re: Fresh Water Moray Eels

Pretty sure they only get to about 2-3' and don't get really girthy like a real moray.  The store I saw them in said a 55 would do fine....with a covered top of course...LOL!!!

[szidlon]

Re: Fresh Water Moray Eels

I have heard that they can be adapted to freshwater slowly but a brackish set up is better for them from what I have heard.  Where did you see them at?

They are at Houston Aquatics on N. Shepherd.  I would love to have a couple but I don't really have the indoor space for another large tank.  If I did I'd have grabbed the 55 that's currently in the Fish Market.  This is a pretty small LFS and I don't usually see anything too odd there, but then, like I said, I don't get out much anymore   .

I did a little research on the net and have the same conclusion as to their requirements as you were told.   They just look so graceful, that is, until you look at their pointed little teeth   :wink: .

[Hanson77]

Re: Fresh Water Moray Eels

Don't get me wrong.....if I had the space for another tank I would have a few.  Plus the girlfriend doesn't like them because she thinks that they look too much like a snake which is a big no-no in my house....LOL.

[High-PH]

Re: Fresh Water Moray Eels

Well, if I ever want my big 'community tank' cleaned out, I'll keep them in mind, LOL. I have enough trouble keeping the 3 growing clown loaches and the pair of angels fed.

Polly

[Mzungu]

Re: Fresh Water Moray Eels

I think the problem with a lot of these FW/brackish/marine fishes is that many spend time in estuarine areas...the adults spawn, the young move to brackish and/or freshwater, then migrate to marine as they get older (or some variation of that). So you have some confusion as to where they "should" be kept.

I'd love to see them, though! Might try to stop by Houston Aquatics sometime soon.  :)