Ian Shaw, Reef Life Survey, Australien
Info
Gymnothorax chilospilus is found in shallow and rubble-covered areas around coastal reefs, usually in water depths of less than 5 meters, but also in deep gravel reefs up to 45 meters.
During the day, the moray eel stays under rocks and / or in caves and hunts for prey in the evening hours, feeding mainly on small fish and crustaceans.
This small moray is a pale yellowish to brownish animal with irregular brownish bars with branching markings, a large white spot on the upper part of the lower jaw near the corner of the mouth, and a white spot around each pore along the upper and lower jaws.
Otherwise, the moray is variable in color, including almost entirely brown or dark brown stripes and spots on a reddish background.
Gymnothorax chilospilus is rarely seen in the trade, and should be best kept in a dimly lit aquarium with live rock, hiding places/caves, and tank mates large enough to avoid being eaten.
As for food, entice the animal with fresh fish and/or crustacean meat impaled on a long feeding stick or offered with feeding tongs.
To motivate the semi-aggressive animal to feed, the food should be moved back and forth near the head, which normally protrudes from a hiding place.
Gymnothorax chilospilus should be fed twice a week.
The specific name chilospilus is derived from the Latin cheilos (= lip, edge) and the Greek spilos (= spot, blemish) and refers to the characteristic white spot on the lower lip of this species.
The bite of a moray eel can also be fatal for humans, depending on the size and bite depth of the animals.
The penetration of the pointed teeth of a moray eel into the human skin is very painful in any case and a doctor should definitely be consulted, as the saliva of morays is poisonous and contains a variety of different bacteria. In any case, a doctor should look at the bite marks to treat or rule out possible blood poisoning
Please always feed moray eels with feeding tongs to avoid accidents, no matter if the animal(s) is/are trustworthy!
Synonyms:
Lycodontis chilospilos (Bleeker, 1864).
Lycodontis chilospilus (Bleeker, 1864)
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
During the day, the moray eel stays under rocks and / or in caves and hunts for prey in the evening hours, feeding mainly on small fish and crustaceans.
This small moray is a pale yellowish to brownish animal with irregular brownish bars with branching markings, a large white spot on the upper part of the lower jaw near the corner of the mouth, and a white spot around each pore along the upper and lower jaws.
Otherwise, the moray is variable in color, including almost entirely brown or dark brown stripes and spots on a reddish background.
Gymnothorax chilospilus is rarely seen in the trade, and should be best kept in a dimly lit aquarium with live rock, hiding places/caves, and tank mates large enough to avoid being eaten.
As for food, entice the animal with fresh fish and/or crustacean meat impaled on a long feeding stick or offered with feeding tongs.
To motivate the semi-aggressive animal to feed, the food should be moved back and forth near the head, which normally protrudes from a hiding place.
Gymnothorax chilospilus should be fed twice a week.
The specific name chilospilus is derived from the Latin cheilos (= lip, edge) and the Greek spilos (= spot, blemish) and refers to the characteristic white spot on the lower lip of this species.
The bite of a moray eel can also be fatal for humans, depending on the size and bite depth of the animals.
The penetration of the pointed teeth of a moray eel into the human skin is very painful in any case and a doctor should definitely be consulted, as the saliva of morays is poisonous and contains a variety of different bacteria. In any case, a doctor should look at the bite marks to treat or rule out possible blood poisoning
Please always feed moray eels with feeding tongs to avoid accidents, no matter if the animal(s) is/are trustworthy!
Synonyms:
Lycodontis chilospilos (Bleeker, 1864).
Lycodontis chilospilus (Bleeker, 1864)
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
