TankBud

Zebra moray

Gymnomuraena zebra

Also known as Zebra Moray Eel, Zebra Eel

SaltwaterFish

Zebra moray (Gymnomuraena zebra)
NPS photo - Bill Eichenlaub · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
59.1 in
150 cm
Minimum tank
180 gal
680 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Muraenidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs, from East Africa and the Red Sea across to Hawaii, with a further range extension into the eastern Pacific from Mexico to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands

Overview

The zebra moray is a large, peaceful eel for a very big saltwater tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Most morays hunt fish with sharp, backward-curving teeth. The zebra moray's teeth are flattened and rounded like little molars, built for crunching through the shells of crabs, urchins and snails.

Caring for the zebra moray

Give the zebra moray at least 180 gal (680 L), with deep rockwork. A hiding spot has to be big enough to hold the eel's entire body. Seal the lid completely from day one, since an escape-proof top is non-negotiable with any moray.

Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed pieces of fish, shrimp, clam and squid every few days rather than daily.

Zebra morays are about as docile as morays get. They rarely bother fish tank mates and pose little threat to anyone who is not handling them directly.

It generally leaves corals and anemones alone. Sea urchins, snails, crabs and shrimp are food, though, so it does not belong with a cleanup crew. A large adult can also be clumsy in a reef tank, bumping into and toppling corals as it moves through the aquascape.

Good to know

Gymnomuraena zebra is the only species in its genus, and it is also known as the zebra eel. Most aquarium specimens settle in well short of the maximum length, but this is still one of the largest eels in the hobby. It can live 10 to 15 years or more in captivity. Like its relatives, it has no pelvic or pectoral fins. It relies on smell more than eyesight to track down food at night.

In the wild

Zebra morays have an unusually wide range for a moray. They are found from East Africa and the Red Sea through the Indo-Pacific to Hawaii. The range continues along the eastern Pacific from Mexico down to Peru, including the Galapagos. They hide in reef crevices by day and forage over rock and rubble at night.

Common questions

What size tank does a zebra moray need?

A zebra moray needs at least 180 gal (680 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a zebra moray need?

A zebra moray is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a zebra moray eat?

A zebra moray eats pieces of fish, shrimp, clam and squid, fed every few days rather than daily. It also eats sea urchins, snails, crabs and shrimp, so keep it away from a cleanup crew.

How big does a zebra moray get?

An adult zebra moray reaches about 59.1 in (150 cm).

Related species