Question about Zebra Moray Eel 09/29/10
Good Evening,
<Hey there.>
I have done the searches suggested on your webpage and was unable to find the information I am looking for. I am trying to find out how to determine the age of a zebra moray eel, are there certain size/color characteristics,
<Size mostly, length as well as girth. The larger, the older in general. The stripes can become more with age, but since you don't know how many stripes the specific eel had when it was young, this is of little help.>
do the eyes look different,
<Not really, younger eels have proportionally larger eyes as well as larger heads in general.>
How would one know if an eel that looks mature is not extremely old?
<One would have to have seen a number of eels growing to give a really good estimation. The criteria I've given above might be helpful. You can also always send some good pictures and I'll give you my opinion.>
At what age are zebra moray eels considered mature?
<Depends on how you define 'mature'. Capable to produce offspring is a good definition. I think it was roughly 2 ft and some inches where they produce eggs and sperm.>
Is there anything telling that I should be aware of concerning age of the eel when I am looking to "adopt" one?
<Old eels can be good pets, too. Given their maximum ages it's very well possible a 'mature' eel still will live for more than a decade, sometimes several decades. Nothing wrong with getting an old eel in my opinion.>
Could you possibly email me back with this info?
<That's the way the site works.>
I know you are busy, I will try to keep watch on your site but am afraid I will miss your reply.
Thanks so much! Janice
<Welcome. Marco.>

Zebra Moray, normal behaviour? -- 09/09/10
Morning All,
<Hi Casey.>
I've read your Moray, and Zebra Moray sections countless times, both before getting mine and throughout my owner ship, so I don't think I've seen this mentioned; apologies if it has been. I've had two Zebras for about 2 months now, beautiful animals I must say (even though they terrify my friends!)
<The most harmless Moray one can get -- unless you are a Shrimp.>
Of course there was a period where they were shy and hid a lot, but these days the smaller of the two is extremely confident, often poking his head out of their rock caves, or PVC under gravel tunnels. However the slightly larger eel often causes me to worry. He is seemingly less confident, I often wonder if it's because he's an older eel and hence more stuck in his ways?
<This one is actually showing the natural behaviour. In nature they almost exclusively live within cracks and holes in the reefs. One reason their dorsal fin is so small. Consequently, they are no good swimmers out in the open sea, but the perfect tunnel rats.>
He's always stayed totally enclosed within the PVC tunnels, he moves around them to different openings, and pokes his head out just far enough for food, and reacts to my shadow by retreating (my point is, he's not inactive).
<Absolutely OK.>
But every now and then when I peek in to check on him, he is side ways or almost upside down in his tunnel, eyes clear and breathing normally, but on odd angles. This of course freaks me out, but then if he does stick part of his body out, he'll be perfectly upright and moving fine. All I can think is he is following the edging of the piping to try and peer out?
<I would not be concerned here as long as he acts, looks and eats normal.>
as the opening of the tunnel is a PVC "elbow" so it's curved, and he couldn't see out if he sat straight, he'd just be starring at a plastic wall? It just confuses me so as he swims fine when he comes out. Really sorry about the extremely long query!
<No problem. Good luck with keeping the two of them together! This usually works, but I know cases (probably two males) where it didn't. In contrast, mixed couples even produced eggs.>
Thank you for your time, Casey.
<Anytime, Marco.>
Re: Zebra Moray, normal behaviour? -- 09/10/10
Dear Marco,
<Hello Casey.>
Thank you for your fast reply!
<You are welcome.>
I've found myself often just staring at their tank totally puzzled by him! Especially since one was obviously thriving. I did a water change today and he came out for a swim, totally upright, so this combined with your answer has restored my confidence!
<Good.>
Yes I agree! I have even said that very thing to them! I should think they'll be okay, they were housed together when ordered by the store, and they had them about 6 months before me, so let's hope they continue to be buddies!
<Sounds promising.>
Thank you again for putting me at ease! They mean a lot to me!
<Provide clean water and a vitamin enriched, varied diet and I'm confident you'll have fun with them for a long time.>
Casey
<Cheers, Marco.>

I'm sorry just 5 more questions (zebra moray) 1. My 55 gallon tank is part undergravel filter. If I put the carpet anemone in that tank and he goes to stick himself through the crushed coral looking for the glass will he get messed up.
<Maybe... if it were mine, I'd place this anemone in a glass dish of fine substrate of its own and place this whole structure on top of the undergravel filter> 2. Can a carpet anemone be happy in a crushed coral bottom tank. Should I try to stick him on top of some rocks even though he is bigger than any rock
<Only the organism itself can "answer" this by its behavior... give it the chance to "decide" on its own... by placing it as stated above... maybe with a piece of rock above, under the fine substrate in "its" dish> I have just about. 3.Should I wait a little while before I try to move the Zebra moray eel so he doesn't get way stressed out. <Not probably a big deal... these are animals of habit... move its surroundings to the new system, provide the same feeding, care routines... and it won't "notice" the move... do scoop the fish out in a sturdy (doubled) plastic bag... rather than netting it> 4.Should I try to feed him before I move him <No> 5.You think he would eat my cleaner shrimp. My lion fish wont and neither did my scorpion fish <Without a doubt, yes... only a matter of (short) time.> <Bob Fenner>

Re: Am sorry just 5 more questions (zebra moray) excellent! Thanks for all the tips. I am really hesitant about this swap but I know in the long run it will all be worth it. I got my eel to eat for the first time today. I was so happy I fed him a big ole piece of shrimp on a stick. he really liked it. Again thanks and I will let you know how it goes. thanks, David Myers <Ah, good to hear, and I do agree with your sentiments. Bob Fenner>