Can Moray Eels Live in Freshwater?

There’s considerable confusion about whether or not or not moray eels can survive in freshwater. This confusion arises when people encounter an eel labeled as “Freshwater Snowflake Moray” in fish outlets. The concept is made that it is a true saltwater Snowflake Moray Eel tailor-made to reside in freshwater.

“Freshwater” Eel

Merely put, the reply isn’t any. An actual saltwater moray eel cannot survive in latest or brackish water. Based totally on all our evaluation, there are usually not any “true” freshwater moray eels.

If the eel being provided simply is not accurately acknowledged, how are you imagined to deal with it? Appropriate identification of an animal you’re considering looking for is essential for its well-being.

How do you establish a saltwater or freshwater Snowflake Eel? It’s straightforward. The Echidna nebulosa is a saltwater Snowflake Moray Eel. For many who uncover this establish on an eel being provided as a “Freshwater Snowflake,” it’s doable misrepresented or misidentified.

Saltwater fish can tolerate the decreasing of salinity for temporary intervals of time, which is often achieved for treating saltwater Ich by means of O.S.T. (Osmotic Shock Treatment). Nonetheless, they can’t utterly survive in these circumstances.

Some Steering From Shirlie Sharp

To help clarify the confusion between saltwater and supposed freshwater eels, we consulted with Shirlie Sharpe. She responded to one among many many emails we get hold of on this topic: “You might be correct; it’s nonsense. There are usually not any “true” freshwater moray eels. Nonetheless, some freshwater eels may be misrepresented on this method some pet shops are, they’re going to mislabel a goldfish! Really, I seen one myself. It regarded vaguely like a Snowflake Eel, and the pet retailer had a large sign on it “Freshwater Snowflake”. If truth be told, it was a Spiny Eel, Mastocembelus armatus, which is not an actual Eel the least bit. All true freshwater Eels belong to the Family Anguillidae. There’s only one freshwater Eel indigenous to america: Anguilla rostrata or American Eel (distinctive establish, huh?) What I’ve seen most continuously in shops are fish that are often known as Eels, nevertheless essentially, they aren’t from the Eel Family the least bit. Amongst them are “Fireside Eels” (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia), “Tiretrack Eels” (Mastacembelus argus), or “Peacock Eels” (Macrognathus aculeatus). None of these fish are true Eels, and so they’re undoubtedly not from the saltwater Moray Eel Family.”

Determining Fish By Establish

As with many frequent establish references, species identification may very well be troublesome. To help decide freshwater eels and steer clear of sophisticated them with saltwater species, listed beneath are some belongings:

• Freshwater Eel
• Fireside Eel (Mastacemblus erythrotaenia)
• Spiny Eel (Mastacembelus armatus/Macrognathus armatus)

Exchange: Since penning this textual content, it has come to our consideration that there are some “true” moray eels which will inhabit or adapt to freshwater and/or brackish water environments.