White Cheek Moray Eel - Brackish 15cm

The White Cheek Morays' body colour is a darkish brown or black, with olive or yellow fins. The distinguishing marks are the spots on its cheeks. These can be white, (hence its common name White Cheek Moray), or pink/red.

Not much is known about White Cheek Morays breeding patterns. Male and females do not have distinguishing visual identifiers. In the wild they spawn in freshwater areas.

This species can be found in the Indo-Pacific region. Typically, around Indonesia and the Philippines. They inhabit brackish water areas but need a lot of salinity, even marine levels, in the water.

Tank Recommendations for White Cheek Moray Eels

White Cheek Moray Eels need a tank that holds at least 92 gallons (350 litres).

There should be plenty of hiding places and dim lighting. Once the Moray settles and establishes a lair, it will become territorial, defending it from other fish. Aquarists need to take care when feeding as they use smell more than sight when hunting. Feeding tongs can be useful to prevent yourself receiving a bite from them.

This species of Moray needs housing in a slightly alkaline, brackish tank. There should be enough space for it to stretch out and enjoy a comfortable environment.

Suitable Tank Buddies

White Cheek Morays aren't aggressive with larger fish, but they see small fish as prey. More aggressive fish can nip or harass this type of Moray. Suitable tank buddies are non-aggressive fish which are too large to for White Cheek Morays to eat.

Usually Compatible

Peaceful fish that are too big for a White Cheek Moray to consume are suitable tank buddies. But they need to be able to survive in a brackish water environment.

Sometime Compatible

Rock Cods will need monitoring, only introduce if they are at least 30 centimetres. Brackish Pufferfish sometimes cohabit in the same tank. But there are instances of Morays choking on inflated Puffers, meaning both fish die.

Rarely Compatible

Avoid smaller fish and invertebrates as the White Cheek Moray may view them as prey. Larger aggressive fish may outcompete them for food and nip at their fins.

Feeding Your White Cheek Moray Eel

White Cheek Morays are carnivorous. In the wild their natural diet is small fish and crustaceans. They can be difficult feed in an aquarium, living on a narrow diet of feeder fish, live snails, and shrimp. It is possible to wean them on to dead food although this may take some time. Feed them 1 or 2 times per day.