Freshwater Moray Eel

Hi,

Does anyone here have experience with freshwater moray eels.

Regards,

 

I have 3 I just add about 200ml salt to 500l aqarium they are doing just fine. When I first got them it took about 3 months before they started eating.

 

Sounds interesting how big are they?.....post some pics

 

How big do they get ?

 

I would love to see what they look like. Pleas post some pics...

 

Ya we al waiting the whole day were is the pics buddy

 

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Awesome !

 

Had one for 2 months and hid most of the time. It was very hard to feed. He was with my cichlids in a tank and we went away for a weekend and the tanks ballast failed so the tank was dark for 2 days. He had a feast... 2 sunshine peacocks was gone completely eaten one blue ahli was halved and one venustus had no tail. I would not recommend it for any tank with fish smaller than 6-7cm and even then he might take a bite. Got some pretty nasty teeth. Also they sold as "freshwater" moray but the truth is that they can only tolerate fresh to brackish water for a while but eventually they will not make it, same as the mono argentus or silver moony and some brackish puffers they will tolerate low salinity but not for ever. This is one of the reasons they will go on a hunger strike. Here is a quote out of an article from the internet: [h=1]Freshwater?[/h]Among advanced hobbyists it is known that all species referred to as freshwater moray eel in fact need brackish or marine water to thrive. T. nigroviridis and T. fluviatilis. They can last in freshwater even for months or years, but that is far away from the optimal care and thus should be avoided. The same is true for the freshwater moray eel. It's a shame that the word has not spread to many fish stores, which sell them as freshwater fish to beginners. Morays in fact can be successfully kept by beginners, but only if appropriate guidance is offered to them and the fish stores are still the major source for information of most customers.
All moray eels kept in fresh water share a similar sad fate. Although very hardy in brackish and marine water, they are prone to a number of diseases in fresh water. It is common for them to reject food and to starve within a few weeks, although other specimens manage to decimate their community tank mates before being weakened from various infections and parasites.
Why are they sold as fresh water then? The reason is quite simple, they were caught in fresh water. The importers noted that and forwarded it to the fish stores. That is how the legend of the freshwater moray eel started. The sticking point is that in nature they do not stay in freshwater. As to some extent euryhaline species they can and do make trips into the rivers for food, maybe to get rid of salt water parasites, possibly even for spawning, but they return to higher salinities within weeks. Stories like 'they were bred to live in fresh water', 'they are used to fresh water' and so on are just plain wrong.
Their natural habitats are the tropical estuaries and coastal mangrove swamps. Salinity in these areas changes with the tides and the monsun, but mostly is rather close to marine. That is why a specific gravity of at least 1.010 is needed to keep freshwater moray eel. A full marine environment may be even better (especially for the adults) and is, due to the use of live rock and skimmers, easier to maintain.
Gymnothorax polyurandon and Echidna rhodochilus may last up to two years in very hard fresh water. The more often sold Gymnothorax tile will last significantly shorter. In high end brackish or marine water, they have a life expectancy of more than ten years making that the only environment that can be recommended.

 

@Firefly_SA thanks, I have read that article. I have done the entire internet research thing. I read they need brackish or marine setup. I call it freshwater moray eel cos that's one of it's common names. I need to know if you guys have any experience with them. He is a great predator. His gone through 9 3-4cm cichlids on Tuesday. Will starve him a few days. Has anyone ever seen them hunt. Awesome experience. He just elevates his head and keeps his mouth open. Once the prey is within reach he snaps at it and does the whole crocodile twist thing. His 40-45cm and has loads of character. I expect him to grow another 15 to 20cm. Had a family night out yesterday so will try take some snaps today.

 

Understood, was not preaching only posted that I had a bad experience because of lack of info and stupidity. I had a "fresh water tiger moray" and only had it for two months before it died. Pet shop assured me they are 100% fresh water and that they are caught and bred in fresh water.... now after many years I know better. Would be awesome to see it hunt. Good luck post some picks.