Freshwater Moray Eel
Most people will tell you that eels can only live in a salt water environment. This couldn’t be further away from the truth. Eels of the echidna rhodochilus
species, better known as freshwater moray eels, are fully capable of
living in a freshwater environment. Below follows a bit of background on
freshwater moray eels. Freshwater moray eels, like others in the moray
species, are rather passive.
They don’t attack unless bothered and feast on smaller members of the
oceanic community. Their diet consists of small fish and crustaceans -
among these shrimp, lobsters, and scallops. As far as their habitat,
freshwater moray eels reside in areas with warmer water temperatures. The
majority of freshwater morays can be found in the Indo-Pacific ocean. The
eels find home in coral reefs and other dark areas, such as crevices.
Contrary to their name, freshwater moray eels do not always live in
freshwater environments.
These types of eels alternate between both freshwater and salt water. For
those who have a freshwater moray as a pet, it is recommended it that you
keep it in an aquarium with brackish water. Brackish water is water with
much lower salinity content than ocean water. This will provide the eel
with an appropriate dosage of salt. Size-wise, freshwater morays typically
don’t exceed 13 inches in length. While larger freshwater morays do exist,
they are quite uncommon.
If you’re in the market for a freshwater moray, be sure to ask your
local pet store plenty of questions. Pet stores often mislabel things and
thus many eel owners have ended up killing their freshwater eels. Be sure
to ask a pet store employee how to prepare the eel’s water and how to ease
it into a new diet.
Freshwater
Moray Eel Part 2
More Information About Moray Eels
