Black Edge Moray Eel

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Semi-Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 24"
• Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-82° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Western Atlantic
• Family: Muraenidae   • Species: Eels   • Aquarium Type: Fish Only

Help Support AquariumDomain!      

• Your support keeps AquariumDomain advertisement free, lightning fast and fully optimized for both mobile and desktop browsing.

• Visit our Patreon page to learn about the exclusive benefits our Patrons receive!

The Black Edge Moray Eel also known as the Ocellated Moray Eel and originates from the seagrass beds of the Caribbean ocean. As is typical of other Moray eels, it has a very thick body and will typically hide in the rocks with its gaping mouth out in plain view. This species of eel is a more aggressive species than is commonly seen within the aquarium hobby. The Black Edge Moray Eel is known to attempt to eat any fish or invertebrate that will fit into its mouth, this along with its size make this species suitable for experienced to advanced hobbyists with a large aquarium and other very large tank mates.

The Black Edge Moray Eel is primarily brown in color with intense golden spots covering the entire body. The underside of the eel is gold in color, and the tail is outlined in black, which gives it its name. Its face and body both fit the typical appearance of a moray eel, with a thick aggressive look.

While the Black Edge Moray Eel only grows to around 24 inches in length, it has a thick body and will need sizable caves in crevices to live within and will require a 125-gallon or larger aquarium with suitable rock shelter to conceal itself within. After it becomes established within the aquarium, it generally have its head poking out of a cave in the open, or will lie out in full view. The aquarium must be equipped with a tight-fitting lid to discourage escape, as all eels are prone to jumping out of aquariums that are not completely sealed.

Caution must be taken with this eel, as it will eat just about anything that it can catch and fit into its mouth, including fish and invertebrates. While it will not directly attack corals, this species should only be kept in a reef environment with caution as they can damage corals because of their thick bodies. This species should only be kept with large fish species that it cannot swallow.

The Black Edge Moray Eel is a much more aggressive feeder than most species of eel commonly seen within the aquarium trade. Its diet consists of live feeder fish, squid, and octopus, and it will eat other fish in the aquarium if they small enough to fit into its mouth. Black Edge Moray Eels should only be kept with very large fish species as any smaller fish or invertebrates will be eaten. There should be no problems getting this species to begin feeding as it will readily take to live feeders or meaty foods offered to it via a feeding stick or tongs.