Golden dwarf moray
Gymnothorax melatremus
Also known as Dwarf Moray, Blackspot Moray, Dirty Yellow Moray
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 65 gal
- 246 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Muraenidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific reefs, from East Africa to the Marquesas and Mangareva islands, north to Hawaii, south to the Austral Islands
Overview
The golden dwarf moray is a small eel that spends most daylight hours out of sight in the live rock of a saltwater tank. It is easy to keep.
Did you know
A Hawaiian collection ban cut off the main historical source of the golden dwarf moray. Much of what reaches the trade now comes from the Philippines, which keeps supply tight. A genuine golden dwarf moray is now one of the pricier small marine fish in the hobby.
Caring for the golden dwarf moray
Give the golden dwarf moray a tank of at least 65 gal (246 L), with a dense maze of live rock to hide in. Seal the lid completely, with no gap it could squeeze through. Despite its small size, it is just as determined an escape artist as its larger relatives.
Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed small pieces of fish, shrimp or krill every few days.
The golden dwarf moray is mostly peaceful, but it is a committed predator. It largely ignores tank mates too big to fit in its mouth. Any small fish or shrimp that wanders too close becomes a meal, so choose its tank mates with care.
It is reef safe with caution and will not touch coral tissue. Keep it away from heavily stinging corals, since a moray can take burns to its skin from repeated contact.
Good to know
The golden dwarf moray, Gymnothorax melatremus, is one of the smallest morays regularly kept in the hobby. It is a true dwarf species rather than a juvenile of something larger. Even so, juveniles of larger moray species are sometimes sold under the same name. Its rich yellow to golden-brown body, sometimes finely speckled, is where the common name comes from. A close look often reveals faint pale blue rings around the eyes. It is also called the dwarf moray, blackspot moray or dirty yellow moray.
In the wild
Golden dwarf morays range across the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the Marquesas and Mangareva islands, north to Hawaii and south to the Austral Islands. They hide in small holes and crevices in the reef by day and hunt at night. They rarely stray into open water.
Common questions
What size tank does a golden dwarf moray need?
A golden dwarf moray needs at least 65 gal (246 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a golden dwarf moray need?
A golden dwarf moray is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a golden dwarf moray eat?
A golden dwarf moray eats small pieces of fish, shrimp or krill, fed every few days. It will also eat any small fish or shrimp that wanders too close.
How big does a golden dwarf moray get?
An adult golden dwarf moray reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
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