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(echidna polyzona)
Saltwater
Found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea, this eel is also called a Barred Moray Eel and a Ringed Moray Eel. As a juvenile, it has alternating ecru and black or brown bands on its body and teeth that are cone shaped and rounded. Maturing into an adult, the bands begin to fade while the teeth flatten and become more like pebbles. This eel tends to spend more time out in the open than most other eels. An important thing to remember about eels is that they like to jump through holes and an open aquarium is a hole to an eel. A tightly fitting lid is a requirement, else the eel may escape from the aquarium. Eels are popular with aquarists because they have a reputation of being dangerous creatures (the eels). While some can be aggressive and quite mean, generally they are shy and retiring unless they are provoked. It is then that they will attack. Handling with care is very important.
Size: sm. 5"-8"; med. 9"-12"; lg. 13"+; can grow to a maximum length of 24"
No. in Tank: one
Tank: min. 55 gallons
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Food: (Carnivore) May need to coax this eel to eat at first. Try offering small fiddler crabs. With time and some patience, the menu can be changed to fresh crustaceans and marine fish flesh. Usually a hearty eater, a large amount of waste will be produced. It is a nocturnal eater. Feed one or two times a week.
Light: Medium
Adaptation: Introduce this eel into a well-established aquarium with an excellent water filtration system that can handle the large amount of waste that it will produce. Also needs numerous holes and crevices, which will help the acclimation process and discourage it from trying to leap out of the tank. A tight lid is very important.
Compatibility: Only house this eel with aggressive species large enough that they can not go into the eel's mouth and be swallowed. It will eat crustaceans and if not well-fed, will graze on corals and LPS and nip at hard corals.
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