{"product_id":"freshwater-moray-eel-gymnothorax-polyuranodon","title":"Freshwater Moray Eel | Gymnothorax polyuranodon","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Freshwater Moray is a snake-bodied, secretive predator and one of the few morays that genuinely tolerates low-salinity water. Reaching around 100 cm — and occasionally larger — it is a characterful but demanding fish for the experienced keeper. It is a master escape artist that will exploit any gap, and it starts in brackish water, trending saltier with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFound across the Indo-Pacific in coastal rivers and estuaries, from India through South-East Asia to northern Australia and the Pacific islands. It is a catadromous species that spends much of its life in fresh and brackish water but migrates to the sea to spawn, sheltering by day among roots, rocks and crevices.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA long, muscular, eel-like body of pale gold to olive covered in dark leopard-like spots and blotches, with a continuous fin running along the back and tail. The head is small relative to the body, with tube nostrils and a mouth of small, needle-like teeth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA predator that eats anything it can swallow, so tankmates must be too large to be considered food. It is not especially aggressive toward equals but is best kept alone or in a carefully managed brackish\/marine predator system. Provide caves — a secure moray is a settled moray.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that in the wild feeds mainly on fish, plus the occasional crustacean, bivalve and worm. In the aquarium it prefers meaty foods such as pieces of fish, prawn and mussel, often taken from feeding tongs. Many individuals prefer live or wriggling foods when first settling in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHouse it in a large tank with a soft substrate, plenty of pipework, rock and caves, and, crucially, an absolutely sealed lid — these eels escape through the smallest opening. Keep it in brackish water and gradually raise salinity toward marine as it matures. Strong filtration and pristine water are essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot bred in captivity. As a catadromous species it must reach the sea to spawn, so all aquarium specimens are wild-caught and no home breeding is possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGymnothorax polyuranodon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater (Spotted\/Leopard) Moray Eel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coastal rivers and estuaries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 100 cm (occasionally to 150 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommonly 10+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e570 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (mainly fish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.5–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard (brackish, trending marine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrackish, increasing toward marine with age\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge brackish\/marine predator systems (experienced keepers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (brackish\/marine setup)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnly large, salinity-tolerant fish too big to be eaten, such as robust brackish scats, monos or archerfish in the early stages, transitioning to suitable marine companions as salinity rises.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny fish or invertebrate small enough to swallow, delicate species, and anything intolerant of rising salinity. This eel will hunt small tankmates without hesitation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232886997283,"sku":"BA8053-S","price":345.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232887030051,"sku":"BA8053","price":395.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232887062819,"sku":"BA8053-L","price":455.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-60cm)","offer_id":55351971152163,"sku":"BA8053-XL","price":525.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/freshwater-moray-eel-gymnoth-43091607388451.webp?v=1790304132","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/freshwater-moray-eel-gymnothorax-polyuranodon","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}