Jeweled moray eel (Muraena lentiginosa) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Jewel moray, Muraena insularum
Family
Muraenidae (moray eels)
Origin
Eastern Pacific
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
61 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
450 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

A brown moray covered in white, dark-ringed spots, from the eastern Pacific. Provide solid rockwork with several caves, efficient filtration and a sealed lid. 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. It occasionally enters the aquarium trade. 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. Minimum tank size of about 450 litres is our estimate from the adult size and habits, not a published figure. 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/Muraenalentiginosa). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A predator of fish and crustaceans. Offer fish, prawns and squid with tongs two or three times a week.

Breeding

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

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: it eats fish and crustaceans. Keep only with robust fish too large to swallow.

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

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