Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They are generally shy and reclusive, preferring the safety of their hiding spots over open water. Despite their peaceful demeanor towards large fish, they are opportunistic ambush predators. They can also be quite territorial when it comes to their chosen cave or crevice.

Diet

Carnivore

They are strict carnivores that feed primarily on meaty foods like fish, crustaceans, and shrimp. In captivity, they can be trained to accept frozen foods such as krill, squid, and white fish. Tong-feeding is often recommended to ensure they receive adequate nutrition without polluting the tank.

Sex ratio

Solitary

There are no known external sexual differences between male and female freshwater morays. They are usually kept singly due to their territorial nature towards conspecifics. Keeping multiples requires an extremely large tank with abundant visual barriers and caves.

Feeding frequency

THREE_FOUR_DAILY

Juvenile specimens require smaller meals every other day to support their rapid growth rate. Adult eels digest their food slowly and typically only need to be fed once or twice a week. Overfeeding can lead to severe health issues and rapid water quality degradation.

Bioload

Gymnothorax tile produces a heavy bioload due to its large adult size and carnivorous diet. They generate significant amounts of organic waste after feeding on meaty foods. Powerful filtration and frequent water changes are required to maintain pristine water conditions.

Flow

Moderate

A moderate water flow is beneficial to ensure proper oxygenation and to help sweep away detritus. The flow should not be so strong that it prevents the eel from resting comfortably in its caves. Good surface agitation is particularly important for gas exchange.

Jump risk

Yes

These eels are notorious escape artists with an uncanny ability to squeeze through the smallest openings. A tightly fitting, heavy lid is an absolute necessity for their aquarium. All gaps around heaters, filters, and cables must be completely sealed to prevent fatal escapes.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Breeding Gymnothorax tile in a home aquarium is considered impossible. They have a complex reproductive cycle that involves migrating to marine environments to spawn. All specimens available in the aquarium trade are wild-caught.

Compatibility & tankmates

Verify

This species is highly predatory and will consume any tank mate small enough to fit in its mouth. They should only be kept with robust, deep-bodied fish that are too large to be considered prey. Aggressive or fin-nipping tank mates should also be avoided to prevent stress.

Tank level

Bottom

This species is strictly a bottom-dweller that spends most of its time hidden among the substrate. They require an intricate network of secure caves and PVC pipes to feel safe. They will typically only emerge from their lairs to feed or explore at night.