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Tiger (Freshwater) Moray Eel (Gymnothorax polyuranodon)
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Description
The Tiger Moray Eel is a striking, elongated predator with leopard-like patterning and a reputation for being both elusive and misunderstood. Although often sold as freshwater, it thrives best in brackish conditions and requires specialized care, making it a centerpiece species for expert keepers.
Difficulty Level
Expert Only
Region
Tiger (Freshwater) Moray Eel (Gymnothorax polyuranodon)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires brackish water, escape-proof tank, and a specialized carnivorous diet. Not suitable for beginners.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught from Southeast Asian estuaries. Limited captive breeding. Habitat degradation is a concern in native range.
Origin
Native to coastal rivers, estuaries, and tidal zones of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Long, sinuous body with a golden-brown base overlaid by irregular black spots and bars. Its cryptic movements, sudden bursts of energy, and expressive face make it a mesmerizing predator in the right tank.
Purpose
A true showstopper species—used to anchor exotic or brackish displays. Helps control small live feeders and adds dramatic motion. Not recommended for typical community tanks.
Importance
Despite being sold as a freshwater fish, it does best in lightly brackish setups. Keeping it long-term requires attention to salinity, escape-proof lids, and a strong feeding regimen.
Included Resources
Requires tight-fitting lid, sandy or soft substrate, rocky caves or PVC tubes for shelter, and low to moderate flow. Ideal parameters: Temp 75–82°F, pH 7.4–8.2, SG 1.005–1.015 (brackish).
Best Use Cases
Brackish predator tanks, biotope aquaria, or specialized displays with other large, robust species. Must be kept alone or with large, armored fish.
Conservation Context
Wild-caught specimens are common due to low availability in captive breeding. Coastal development and pollution in Southeast Asia threaten its native estuarine habitats.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Monos
• Scats
• Archerfish
• Columbian sharks (Arius spp.)
• Brackish gobies and moray-safe tankmates
Region (A)
• Latitude: 0.7893° S
• Longitude: 113.9213° E
(Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo – brackish estuaries)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 8.7832° S
• Longitude: 125.7275° E
(Coastal East Timor – river mouths and tidal creeks)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Tiger (Freshwater) Moray Eel (Gymnothorax polyuranodon)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires brackish water, escape-proof tank, and a specialized carnivorous diet. Not suitable for beginners.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught from Southeast Asian estuaries. Limited captive breeding. Habitat degradation is a concern in native range.
Origin
Native to coastal rivers, estuaries, and tidal zones of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Long, sinuous body with a golden-brown base overlaid by irregular black spots and bars. Its cryptic movements, sudden bursts of energy, and expressive face make it a mesmerizing predator in the right tank.
Purpose
A true showstopper species—used to anchor exotic or brackish displays. Helps control small live feeders and adds dramatic motion. Not recommended for typical community tanks.
Importance
Despite being sold as a freshwater fish, it does best in lightly brackish setups. Keeping it long-term requires attention to salinity, escape-proof lids, and a strong feeding regimen.
Included Resources
Requires tight-fitting lid, sandy or soft substrate, rocky caves or PVC tubes for shelter, and low to moderate flow. Ideal parameters: Temp 75–82°F, pH 7.4–8.2, SG 1.005–1.015 (brackish).
Best Use Cases
Brackish predator tanks, biotope aquaria, or specialized displays with other large, robust species. Must be kept alone or with large, armored fish.
Conservation Context
Wild-caught specimens are common due to low availability in captive breeding. Coastal development and pollution in Southeast Asia threaten its native estuarine habitats.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Monos
• Scats
• Archerfish
• Columbian sharks (Arius spp.)
• Brackish gobies and moray-safe tankmates
Region (A)
• Latitude: 0.7893° S
• Longitude: 113.9213° E
(Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo – brackish estuaries)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 8.7832° S
• Longitude: 125.7275° E
(Coastal East Timor – river mouths and tidal creeks)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Tiger (Freshwater) Moray Eel (Gymnothorax polyuranodon)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires brackish water, escape-proof tank, and a specialized carnivorous diet. Not suitable for beginners.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught from Southeast Asian estuaries. Limited captive breeding. Habitat degradation is a concern in native range.
Origin
Native to coastal rivers, estuaries, and tidal zones of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Long, sinuous body with a golden-brown base overlaid by irregular black spots and bars. Its cryptic movements, sudden bursts of energy, and expressive face make it a mesmerizing predator in the right tank.
Purpose
A true showstopper species—used to anchor exotic or brackish displays. Helps control small live feeders and adds dramatic motion. Not recommended for typical community tanks.
Importance
Despite being sold as a freshwater fish, it does best in lightly brackish setups. Keeping it long-term requires attention to salinity, escape-proof lids, and a strong feeding regimen.
Included Resources
Requires tight-fitting lid, sandy or soft substrate, rocky caves or PVC tubes for shelter, and low to moderate flow. Ideal parameters: Temp 75–82°F, pH 7.4–8.2, SG 1.005–1.015 (brackish).
Best Use Cases
Brackish predator tanks, biotope aquaria, or specialized displays with other large, robust species. Must be kept alone or with large, armored fish.
Conservation Context
Wild-caught specimens are common due to low availability in captive breeding. Coastal development and pollution in Southeast Asia threaten its native estuarine habitats.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Monos
• Scats
• Archerfish
• Columbian sharks (Arius spp.)
• Brackish gobies and moray-safe tankmates
Region (A)
• Latitude: 0.7893° S
• Longitude: 113.9213° E
(Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo – brackish estuaries)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 8.7832° S
• Longitude: 125.7275° E
(Coastal East Timor – river mouths and tidal creeks)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Tiger (Freshwater) Moray Eel (Gymnothorax polyuranodon)
Region
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