Goldentail Moray (Gymnothorax miliaris) Care Guide
Gymnothorax miliaris, the goldentail moray, is a smaller western Atlantic moray eel with a dark, yellow-speckled body and a pale tail tip.
Overview
Gymnothorax miliaris, the goldentail moray, is a marine eel of the family Muraenidae described by Kaup in 1856. According to FishBase and Wikipedia, it has a dark brown body covered with numerous small yellow dots, a pale to deep-yellow tail tip, and a stout body with a short, blunt snout. A predominantly yellow variant is sometimes called the banana eel.
Taxonomy
- Family: Muraenidae
- Genus: Gymnothorax
- Scientific name: Gymnothorax miliaris (Kaup, 1856)
Habitat
FishBase records the species in the western Atlantic from Bermuda and southern Florida to the Antilles and southeast Brazil, and in the eastern Atlantic including St Paul's Rocks, Cape Verde, Ascension and St Helena. It is reef-associated, found on coral reefs and rocky shorelines. Reported depths range from 0 to 60 m, typically 0-35 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1000 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Adult size: 45-70 cm (FishBase reports a maximum of 70 cm TL, common length 40 cm)
- Lifespan: 10-30 years
Diet
The goldentail moray is a carnivore. Wikipedia reports that it feeds mainly on small invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks, and rarely on small fishes. In aquaria it is typically offered meaty foods a couple of times a week.
Compatibility
This is a bottom-dwelling, semi-aggressive eel. FishBase describes it as benthic and solitary, active during the day and sometimes hunting alongside other predators. Suitable companions are large, robust fish; small fish and ornamental shrimp would be eaten. It requires secure rockwork and caves.
Breeding
The species is oviparous. Captive breeding is not documented in home aquaria.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2011), as reported by FishBase.