Green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Muraenidae (moray eels)
Origin
Western Atlantic, New York and Bermuda to Brazil; mangroves and reefs to about 40 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
250 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Care level
expert
Temperament
aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

A very large, heavy-bodied moray reaching 2.5 m. Its green colour comes from yellow protective mucus over dark blue skin. Studies show it is mostly nocturnal and ranges widely: tagged eels used home ranges averaging nearly 6 hectares and some moved from mangroves to offshore reefs in a single night. The list mentions a 180-gallon tank, but a fish this size is for public-aquarium systems, where it is occasionally displayed. Morays have poor eyesight and find food by smell, so feed with tongs rather than fingers; a bite can be deep and may become infected. Fit a tight lid with every gap closed, as eels are expert escape artists. Its flesh can cause ciguatera poisoning. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Water figures here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity SG 1.020–1.025. Adults grow far too large for home aquaria and are for public-aquarium-sized systems; no home tank size is given. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenmoray). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats fish and crabs. In public aquaria it is fed whole fish, squid and crustaceans.

Breeding

Breeding in home aquaria has not been reported in the sources used here.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe. The list says it can be kept with rays, sharks and other large fish; anything smaller will be eaten.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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