Coral Reef
Eel
More details
Spotted Garden Eel (Heteroconger hassi)
Pro
Pro
Description
Delicate, slender, and mesmerizing, Spotted Garden Eels live half-buried in sandy beds, swaying with the current while feeding on drifting plankton. Best observed in peaceful, species-specific setups or large reef aquaria with deep sand beds.
Difficulty Level
Expert Only
Region
Spotted Garden Eel (Heteroconger hassi)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires a mature tank with deep sand, low aggression, and stable water chemistry. Easily stressed by handling or poor tank mates.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Wild-caught is still common. Choose sustainable sources where possible to reduce pressure on reef sand flats.
Origin
Native to Indo-Pacific coral reefs, from the Red Sea and Maldives to Japan and Fiji. Typically found in colonies on open sandy slopes exposed to currents.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Creamy white body with irregular black spots and large, expressive eyes. They emerge vertically from the sand in groups, creating a field of gently swaying eels — a unique visual for any reef display.
Purpose
Serve as captivating display animals, adding motion and natural plankton-filtering behavior to sand beds. Excellent educational value due to their colonial and feeding behaviors.
Importance
Highlights the importance of biodiversity in reef flats. Their unique appearance and movement make them ideal for large, naturalistic marine exhibits.
Included Resources
Need a fine sand substrate at least 6 inches deep, moderate flow, high-quality reef lighting, and consistent planktonic food supply. Peaceful tank mates only.
Best Use Cases
Thrives in dedicated nano reef cylinders or the front zone of large reef tanks with deep sand beds and passive fish. Perfect for marine enthusiasts who want a dynamic, natural display.
Conservation Context
Harvested from the wild but not currently threatened. Their reliance on undisturbed reef sand flats highlights the need for habitat conservation and sustainable collection practices.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• Firefish
• Dartfish
• Small gobies
• Pipefish (peaceful species)
• Avoid wrasses, triggers, puffers, and aggressive tank mates
Region (A)
• Latitude: 7.1315° N
• Longitude: 134.2336° E
(Palau — Western Pacific sand flats)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -8.4095° S
• Longitude: 115.1889° E
(Bali, Indonesia — reef edge habitats)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Spotted Garden Eel (Heteroconger hassi)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires a mature tank with deep sand, low aggression, and stable water chemistry. Easily stressed by handling or poor tank mates.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Wild-caught is still common. Choose sustainable sources where possible to reduce pressure on reef sand flats.
Origin
Native to Indo-Pacific coral reefs, from the Red Sea and Maldives to Japan and Fiji. Typically found in colonies on open sandy slopes exposed to currents.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Creamy white body with irregular black spots and large, expressive eyes. They emerge vertically from the sand in groups, creating a field of gently swaying eels — a unique visual for any reef display.
Purpose
Serve as captivating display animals, adding motion and natural plankton-filtering behavior to sand beds. Excellent educational value due to their colonial and feeding behaviors.
Importance
Highlights the importance of biodiversity in reef flats. Their unique appearance and movement make them ideal for large, naturalistic marine exhibits.
Included Resources
Need a fine sand substrate at least 6 inches deep, moderate flow, high-quality reef lighting, and consistent planktonic food supply. Peaceful tank mates only.
Best Use Cases
Thrives in dedicated nano reef cylinders or the front zone of large reef tanks with deep sand beds and passive fish. Perfect for marine enthusiasts who want a dynamic, natural display.
Conservation Context
Harvested from the wild but not currently threatened. Their reliance on undisturbed reef sand flats highlights the need for habitat conservation and sustainable collection practices.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• Firefish
• Dartfish
• Small gobies
• Pipefish (peaceful species)
• Avoid wrasses, triggers, puffers, and aggressive tank mates
Region (A)
• Latitude: 7.1315° N
• Longitude: 134.2336° E
(Palau — Western Pacific sand flats)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -8.4095° S
• Longitude: 115.1889° E
(Bali, Indonesia — reef edge habitats)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Spotted Garden Eel (Heteroconger hassi)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires a mature tank with deep sand, low aggression, and stable water chemistry. Easily stressed by handling or poor tank mates.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Wild-caught is still common. Choose sustainable sources where possible to reduce pressure on reef sand flats.
Origin
Native to Indo-Pacific coral reefs, from the Red Sea and Maldives to Japan and Fiji. Typically found in colonies on open sandy slopes exposed to currents.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Creamy white body with irregular black spots and large, expressive eyes. They emerge vertically from the sand in groups, creating a field of gently swaying eels — a unique visual for any reef display.
Purpose
Serve as captivating display animals, adding motion and natural plankton-filtering behavior to sand beds. Excellent educational value due to their colonial and feeding behaviors.
Importance
Highlights the importance of biodiversity in reef flats. Their unique appearance and movement make them ideal for large, naturalistic marine exhibits.
Included Resources
Need a fine sand substrate at least 6 inches deep, moderate flow, high-quality reef lighting, and consistent planktonic food supply. Peaceful tank mates only.
Best Use Cases
Thrives in dedicated nano reef cylinders or the front zone of large reef tanks with deep sand beds and passive fish. Perfect for marine enthusiasts who want a dynamic, natural display.
Conservation Context
Harvested from the wild but not currently threatened. Their reliance on undisturbed reef sand flats highlights the need for habitat conservation and sustainable collection practices.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• Firefish
• Dartfish
• Small gobies
• Pipefish (peaceful species)
• Avoid wrasses, triggers, puffers, and aggressive tank mates
Region (A)
• Latitude: 7.1315° N
• Longitude: 134.2336° E
(Palau — Western Pacific sand flats)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -8.4095° S
• Longitude: 115.1889° E
(Bali, Indonesia — reef edge habitats)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Spotted Garden Eel (Heteroconger hassi)
Region
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