Peppered moray (Gymnothorax picta) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Painted moray, Paintspotted moray, Títugi, Gymnothorax pictus
Family
Muraenidae (moray eels)
Origin
Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific islands; very shallow reef flats
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
135 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 pale moray finely peppered with dark spots, reaching 135–140 cm. It hunts on very shallow reef flats and will even leave the water or leap out of it to catch crabs, so any system needs a completely secure lid. The species is usually spelt Gymnothorax pictus. 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 is poisonous to eat. 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/Gymnothoraxpictus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Feeds on small fish and crustaceans, especially crabs. Offer fish, crab, prawn and squid.

Breeding

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

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe. Eats crustaceans and small fish; keep only with large fish.

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

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