Freshwater Tiger Moray Eel 20cm

Freshwater Tiger Moray Eel

This has easily got to be one of the most oddball, unique and coolest fish you could add to an aquarium. The freshwater moray eel is a true full freshwater species and it's like owning a full-blown saltwater eel without the worry of setting up a marine system. These tiger morays can be surprisingly active, get to almost 2 feet long and look totally awesome even when they are kept alone. Freshwater morays will be fairly easy fish to keep as long as you have previous experience keeping some larger cichlids and predatory species. These fish are opportunistic feeders and can prey on smaller fish but are relatively peaceful for the most part which is even better. They are also found naturally in Australia but have a pretty extensive range over the info-pacific region. 

Freshwater tiger morays get their name, because of their stunning colours. They have a vibrant yellow to orange body colour with jet-black speckling from head to tail. The black specking can actually join together at times creating this tiger stripe or honeycomb patterning which looks stellar when it goes across the length of the fish. The other cool thing about these morays is they can tolerate brackish water which makes them a great option for brackish systems which can often lack diversity. These morays are tropical fish and will thrive when kept between 24-28 degrees in the aquarium. 

Breeding freshwater moray in captivity is still yet to be recorded because these fish actually swim out to sea in order to spawn. This is one of the main reasons why they are so widespread across the pacific and breeding them in captivity is essentially impossible. Males and females do not tend to have any distinguishing features either. 

Tank Recommendations for your Freshwater Tiger Moray Eel

Since the tiger moray eel can reach 60 cm in length it is best to keep them in an aquarium of at least 350 litres, ensuring the system is longer than taller. These eels can be quite active ones settled in, so the swimming space will be much appreciated. There are no real considerations that need to be made with the aquascape as long as the eel is given caves or places to hide. Aquarists quite often use PVC piping for this species since it accommodates the length of the eel easily.

An ideal natural-looking set-up would be to include a soft, sandy substrate, and smooth river rocks which are stacked in a way to hide a few large pipes. Plants can also be used in the tank with no concern. The only major issue is that these eels can find even the smallest of gaps to jump out off. The aquarium should basically be sealed tight to ensure there is no risk of the eel jumping. 

Suitable Tank Buddies

Freshwater Moray eels can be kept together in groups or solitary. They are not an open-water hunter however they are opportunistic feeders. If kept with slow-moving or small fish, there is a high chance that these will become a meal. Aside from that, these fish are pretty peaceful and do not show aggression toward other fish in the tank.
 

Usually Compatible

Top dwelling species like archer fish and larger species like silver dollars, mono argents, snakehead Gudgeon, severum, clown loaches and similar species.  

Sometimes Compatible

Large rainbows and smaller bottom-dwelling cichlids like elleoti or Kribensis. 

Rarely Compatible

Any nano community aquarium fish will become an easy meal for the freshwater moray eel. 

Feeding your Freshwater Tiger Moray Eel

As the tiger moray eel lives near the bottom of the aquarium it's best to feed them sinking foods. They may not take to pellets right away so it would be best to try frozen or live invertebrate-based foods like black worms, brine shrimp and similar foods. Once they are feeding, the transition can be made to a soft, sinking pellet.