Muraena helena
Muraena helena
Written by Thursday, 08 April 2010 00:00
General
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Scientific Name or classification |
Muraena helena (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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Common Name |
Mediterranean moray, Roman eel, Marbled moray, Double tooth soldierfish, Murène (Fr). |
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Synonyms |
Muraenophis helena, Gymnothorax muraena, Muraena bettencourti |
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Family |
Muraenidae |
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Type Locality |
Madeira island |
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Etymology |
From Gk (s)myraina (smerna) from smyros: sea eel > Latin, muraena = sea eel, lamprey; helena from Gk running, swift or possibly bright (from helenos) referring to the spots of the fish? (1). |
Species Information
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Size (TL or SL in cm) |
150cm maximum recorded, 80 cm on average. |
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Identification |
The Mediterranean moray has an elongated, eel-like body and can reach a length of 1.5 meters and weigh over 15 kilograms. Its colouration varies from dark grey to dark brown with fine dark spots. The skin is slimy and without scales. The dorsal fin begins behind its head and continues to the caudal fin (fused with the anal fin). Pectoral fins are absent, teeth are long and sharp-pointed (like other morays), the mouth is long and robust and reaches behind the gills. (2) |
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Sexing |
No dimorphism or other external differences observed to-date. |
Habitat
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Natural distribution |
Eastern Atlantic: south of British Isles to Senegal, including the Mediterranean, Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. Reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 50 m. A nocturnal and territorial species, commonly lurking in holes, and writhing snakelike through crevices, under rocks or corals. Feeds on fish, crabs and squid. It seldom attacks humans unless provoked. It's bite can be dangerous to humans. |
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Salinity |
Can tolerate salinities up to 1.032 - generally it does better in higher salinities as compared to its tropical cousins. |
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Temperature |
18oC - 20oC. |
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Other parameters |
pH 8.2 - 8.4 |
Husbandry
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Feeding |
Carnivores. On the whole murray eels are not recommended for aquarium use. Some species are more docile and thus more suitable to be kept in captivity. (3) Feed regularly once or twice a week. Sticks can be accepted, clamps, prawns, mussels, squid etc should be offered chopped to appropriate size pieces as morrays do not chew. Fenner recommends scheduling water changes a day after feedings. (4) |
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Compatibility |
None really - a species tank is highly recommended although the moray will not attack polyps and corals. |
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Suggested Tankmates |
Morays will eat, or attempt to eat, every single one of their tankmates. Keeping a regular feeding regime may alleviate the problem though there are no guarrantees. Symbiotic shrimps (Lysmata, Hippolysmata, Periclimenes) appear not to be on their menu. |
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Furniture |
Morays like to hide so a minimum of two suitably large and dark hiding places is recommended per single fish kept. Keep the lighting routine regular and the light low. Covering the back and sides of the tank so that they are dark is recommended. |
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Recommended |
The larger the better. A long, wide 150 lit tank is an absolute minimum for a single small specimen. Morays grow slowly but will, eventually, outgrow small tanks. They do need a lot of space and an efficient filtration system. Small or inappropriate quarters will result in poor adjustement and water quality and eventually, attempts to escape. |
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Behaviour
in |
Most morays (including Muraena helena) are not appropriate fish to be kept in captivity. Those that are manifest extremely interesting behaviour. These fish are accomplished escape artists so extreme care must be taken to ensure there are no openings or other ways for the fish to get out of the tank. It will attempt to move the lid, if it can, so it is advisable to secure it firmly. |
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Other remarks |
It is highly recommended to do some serious reading before trying to keep this fish in captivity. Most morays die when kept in captivity either from starvation or from escaping from the tank and drying up. This fish gets very large and can live for decades so it is a big commitment; think carefully before acquiring one. If you decide to go ahead, mind your fingers. Even better, consider ways of feeding the fish which do not involve putting your hands in the tank. The fish may attack in panick or by mistake and its bite can cause serious problems. |
Breeding
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Breeding |
Spawning has been observed in the wild with pairs swimming a sort of dance, releasing gametes into prevailing currents. Like all true eels morays have a bizarre larval stage (leptocephalus) with ribbon-like, transparent young. (4) |
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References
(1) see discussion of etymology of Helen (Ελένη, Ελένα) in Wikipedia
(2) Wikipedia
(3) Bob Fenner, Wet Web Media
(4) Bob Fenner, Wet Web Media
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