Muraena helena
| Latin name | Muraena helena |
|---|---|
| Local name | Mediterranean moray |
| Family | Muraenidae - Muraena |
| Origin | Mediterranean Sea |
| Max length | 150 cm (59.1") |
| Minimum volume |
1500 l (396 gal) 
|
|---|---|
| Hardiness |
Hardy
|
| Suitable for aquarium |
Suitable for special aquariums
|
| Reef safe |
Reef safe with caution
|
| Aggressiveness | Aggressive towards similar species |
| Recommended |
Fish Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...) |
|---|
This species will at times bite people.
This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.
Morays can easily escape from aquaria, they can even move loose lids and glass covers without problems.
This species can pose a threat towards fish that are relatively large in comparison to its own size.
This species lives in water colder than is the norm for a marine aquarium.
The temperature should be between 18 and 24 °C (64 and 75 °F).
This species needs a very large aquarium when fully grown.
Exactly how big the aquarium should be is hard to say, but the size of this species is such, that it cannot normally be kept in a home aquarium.
This species can be extremely aggressive towards other fish.
Be careful when keeping these fish together with peaceful or docile species. Regular feeding, plenty of hiding places and a lot of space can alleviate aggressive behavior to some degree.
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.
This species has a habit of rearranging rocks and sand.
Make sure rocks are placed securely on the substrate, so they cannot toppled over.
This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.
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.
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)