Enchelycore pardalis

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Facts
Latin name Enchelycore pardalis - (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)
Local name Leopard moray eel
Family Muraenidae - Enchelycore
Origin East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, East Pacific, New Zealand, Central/West Pacific
Max length 92 cm (36.2")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 1000 l (264 gal)
Hardiness Hardy
Suitable for aquarium Suitable with care
Reef safe Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness Might be aggressive towards similar species
Feed
Recommended Fish
Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)
Beware of
Threat towards crustaceans

This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.

Escape specialist

Morays can easily escape from aquaria, they can even move loose lids and glass covers without problems.

Threat to larger fish

This species can pose a threat towards fish that are relatively large in comparison to its own size. 

Feeding of Moray eels

Morays should be fed a large meal every 3-4 days, as they otherwise can harm themselves by over eating.
If one has problems with getting the Morays to eat frozen fish or crustaceans, try moving the food in front of the fish with a tweezer. 

Do note, that the food must be varied and raw/fresh, whole shrimps or smelt (small fish) for example.

It can take a week before they start feeding in the aquarium, but this is not a problem.
Try feeding them live fish or shrimp if the Morays iare not eating frozen foods after a week. 

Keep in mind
Expensive

This species demands a much higher price than similar species.

Rearranges rocks and sand

This species has a habit of rearranging rocks and sand.

Make sure rocks are placed securely on the substrate, so they cannot toppled over.

Can coexist as a pair

They can live as a pair provided they are introduced simultaneously.

Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Descriptions and further reading
Family description (Muraenidae)

Moray eels (Muraenidae) are predatory fish that will most commonly live off fish or crustaceans. 

To avoid overfeeding, the Moray must only be fed every 3-4 days, but may then also have a large meal.

They may dig up the substrate or move loose objects in the aquarium, so fastening the rocks and corals to the tank is a good idea.
Moray eels can easily escape from the tank if not tightly closed. They can lift lids and glass covers, do not underestimate their escape ability.

It is important that the Moray can, with its full length, hide between the rocks.

There are a few Moray eels which are suitable for reef aquaria, but the bigger species can only live in large tanks with other big fish.

Many Morays have a slightly poisonous bite, although it is not normally dangerous for people. One must not underestimate the strength of their bite however.  

FishBase
Aquarium trade Yes
Distribution Indo-Pacific: Reunion to the Hawaiian, Line and Society islands, north to southern Japan (Ref. 559) and southern Korea, south to New Caledonia.
English common names Dragon moray eel
Dragon moray
Dragon eel
Danish common names Hawaiiansk muræne
French common names Murène dragon
References and further reading

About references

Scott Michael. 2004. Aquarium Fish: Behold the Dragon! - Advanced Aquarist - (Engelsk)

Scott W. Michael. 2001. Reef Fishes volume 1 - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Frank Marini. 2002. A Serpent For Your Reef Tank: A Look at Fish-Safe Eels - Reefkeeping Magazine - (English)
Mike Maddox. 2009. Morays! - Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine - (English)
Kirby Adams. Five Favorite Eels - Wet Web Media - (English)
Bob Fenner. The Moray Eels, Family Muraenidae, pt. 1 - Wet Web Media - (English)
Bob Fenner. The Moray Eels, Family Muraenidae, pt. 2, Less Aquarium Suitable Species - Wet Web Media - (English)
Marco Lichtenberger. 2007. Moray Eels Bite—But Are They Poisonous? - Tropical Fish Hobbyist - (English)