Dragon Eel

Description

The Dragon Eel features a long, muscular body covered with dark brown to black spots and mottling along a lighter base, giving it a “dragon-scaled” appearance. Its tapered snout and powerful jaws are adapted for capturing fish and crustaceans in the wild. Adults typically reach 1.2–1.5 meters (4–5 feet) in length.

Primarily nocturnal, the Dragon Eel is a crevice-dwelling predator, spending daylight hours hidden among reef rockwork and emerging at night to hunt. Its sinuous movements, patterned skin, and formidable teeth make it a visually striking and charismatic species in both natural habitats and aquaria capable of accommodating its size.

Aquarium Requirements

Minimum Tank Size: 600–1,000+ litres (160–260+ US gallons)
(Larger recommended for fully grown adults)

Temperature: 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.023–1.026
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: < 20 ppm

Aquascape and Environment:
Provide a secure, well-structured aquarium with multiple caves, overhangs, and rock crevices. Dragon Eels are skilled escape artists and require a tight-fitting lid. Moderate water flow and excellent filtration are essential due to their size, feeding habits, and predatory nature.

Diet and Feeding

Dragon Eels are carnivorous predators with a diet consisting mainly of fish and crustaceans. In captivity, they adapt to frozen and prepared meaty foods.

Recommended Foods:

• Chopped or whole fish

• Shrimp, squid, and octopus

• Occasional live prey for enrichment

Feed 3–5 times per week for adults. Avoid overfeeding to maintain water quality and prevent obesity.

Temperament and Compatibility

Dragon Eels are predatory and territorial. They should only be housed with large, robust tankmates that cannot be swallowed. Smaller fish or invertebrates are considered prey.

Suitable Tankmates:

• Large, peaceful or semi-aggressive fish such as groupers, large wrasses, and snappers

• Other large morays only in very spacious systems with plenty of hiding spaces

Avoid:

• Small fish and invertebrates

• Crustaceans like shrimp and crabs

• Aggressive species that may provoke the eel

Reef Compatibility

⚠️ Not Reef Safe

Dragon Eels are not recommended for reef aquariums as they will prey on small fish and invertebrates. Their size and burrowing habits can also disturb rockwork or delicate coral frags.

Safe With:

• None in conventional reef settings

Use Caution With:

• Large, heavy corals may be disturbed by eel movements

Additional Information

• Maximum Size: 1.2–1.5 meters (4–5 feet)

• Lifespan: 15–20+ years in captivity

• Difficulty Level: Advanced (due to size, feeding requirements, and escape risk)

• Natural Behaviour: Nocturnal, crevice-dwelling ambush predator; territorial

• Origin: Eastern Pacific – Mexico to Peru

• Colouration: Dark brown to black spots and mottling over a lighter base; “dragon-scaled” appearance

Summary

The Dragon Eel (Muraena lentiginosa) is a medium-to-large, visually dramatic moray eel species best suited for advanced aquarists with large, secure tanks. Predatory and territorial, it is incompatible with reef setups containing small fish or invertebrates. With proper care, strong filtration, and a varied carnivorous diet, it becomes an engaging and striking centerpiece in large marine aquariums, showcasing the unique beauty of Pacific morays.