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The fimbriated moray is a mid-size Gymnothorax species with brown background coloration scattered with small white spots and a distinctively fringed dorsal margin. More manageable than larger morays at 30-36" and well-suited to a 125-gallon FOWLR. One of the better "first dragon-style moray" choices for keepers moving up from snowflake or zebra morays.
Native range: Indo-Pacific. The fimbriated moray is a member of the Moray (Muraenidae) family. Most specimens in the US trade are wild-caught from collection points in their native range and shipped through Indo-Pacific or Atlantic marine wholesalers. Wild-caught morays often arrive with internal parasites and shipping stress — a 4-week quarantine in a separate system with prazi and metronidazole prophylaxis is the standard reef-keeper protocol before display introduction.
Tank size: 125 gallons is the practical minimum for a single adult. Substrate should be marine sand 2-4 inches deep — fine grain to prevent abrasion. Hardscape should provide multiple cave structures, PVC pipe segments, and overhangs that allow the eel to choose its preferred resting position. Lighting can be standard reef LED; morays do not require special light spectrum. Filtration should be oversized — morays are messy eaters and produce significant nitrogenous waste. A skimmer rated for at least 1.5x the actual tank volume is the standard for moray-housing FOWLR systems.
The lid is non-negotiable. Morays are exceptionally strong jumpers and escape artists. A 1cm gap is enough for an adult specimen to find and exploit. Hood-style covers work; rimless tanks need custom acrylic or glass cut to seal completely.
Primary diet: Frozen silversides, krill, squid, chopped seafood. Morays are obligate carnivores. Feed 2-3 times per week for adults, daily for juveniles. Use feeding tongs rather than dropping food — morays learn to associate tong tips with food and develop reliable feeding responses within 1-2 weeks. Variety matters: rotate between silversides, krill, squid, chopped scallop, and occasional whole shrimp for nutritional completeness. Avoid feeder goldfish — they carry thiaminase that destroys vitamin B1 and leads to long-term neurological problems.
Safe: Large angels, triggerfish, large tangs, puffers, groupers..
Avoid: Fish under 4", small inverts, conspecific morays..
Not bred in captivity.
Jumping; bite injuries from keeper carelessness; aggression at feeding time.
Coral-safe but fish-unsafe with anything small enough to swallow.
Mid-aggression among morays. Less personality-intense than dragon morays but more aggressive than snowflake or zebra morays.
Most accept frozen silversides within 1-2 weeks of acclimation. Live feeders rarely needed.
Brown body with small white spots, fringed dorsal fin margin, typical Gymnothorax head shape.
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