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(muraena lentiginosa)
Saltwater
Native to the Eastern Pacific from Southern California coast down to Mexico and South America. The menacing look on the eel is due to the curvature of its lower jaw which does not allow the mouth to close. The eel's mouth appears to continuously open and close as if ready to snap. Actually, it is taking in water which flows through the gills, allowing the eel to breath. An accomplished escape artist, a tight lid is a must at all times. It can jump through the smallest of holes.
Size: sm. 5"-8"; med. 9"-12"; lg. 13"+; can get as long as 36"
No. in Tank one
Tank: min. 100 gallons
Temperament: Aggressive
Food: (Carnivore) It is a nocturnal eater who will eat most anything offered; prefers live foods such as feeder fish, live shrimp, clams, squid, silversides and krill. A hearty eater who will produce a large amount of waste product that can easily clog filtration pads. Feed 1 to 2 times a week.
Light: Medium
Adaptation: Only introduce into an well-established aquarium with an excellent water filtration system as the eel produces a large amount of waste material. It needs decorative rocks that can cover it completely. At first the eel may be anxious and need to hide. Once it is comfortable with its environment, it will stick its head out, maybe even coming out in full view. Will take 2+ hours to fully acclimate.
Compatibility: Tank-mates need to be large, aggressive, predator fish. Anything that can fit in the eel's mouth it will most likely eat. It is compatible with a reef system but would eat all of the smaller fish in the aquarium.
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