Golden Moray
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A small, colorful moray that is ideal for the reef aquarium. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
Although it will hide during much of the day, this moray often does so with its head exposed and can be trained to come out to accept food when the lights are on. It may be difficult to find in a larger reef tank replete with live rock, and is easier to observe in a small or nano-reef.
The coloration can vary from tan to yellowish orange, with some specimens sporting brown reticulations.
Family: Muraenidae
Other common name(s):
- Dirty Yellow Moray
- Pencil Moray
- Dwarf Moray
- Blackspot Moray
Native range:
- Indo-Pacific
- East Africa
- Marquesas Islands
- Hawaii
- Austral Islands
Maximum length: 18 cm (7 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 38 L (10 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
Meaty foods, including frozen seafood. May require live ghost shrimp to initiate a feeding response.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Will eat ornamental crustaceans, but its small maximum size makes it less of a threat to most fishes.
[edit] Notes
There are other small morays (less than 20 in. [51 cm]) that are ideal for reef tanks, but these are not as colorful as G. melatremus. They include: Brown Moray (Gymnothorax brunneus), Latticetail Moray (G. buroensis), Whitelip Moray (G. chilospilus), Slendertail Moray (G. gracilicaudus), and Herre’s Moray (G. herrei).
| Common name | Golden Moray +, Dirty Yellow Moray +, Pencil Moray +, Dwarf Moray +, and Blackspot Moray + |
| Family | Muraenidae + |
| Genus | Gymnothorax + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 7 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 10 gal + |
| Native range | Indo-Pacific +, East Africa +, Marquesas Islands +, Hawaii +, and Austral Islands + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes + |
| Specific name | melatremus + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |