Eel – Tessalata

CURRENTLY ADULT SIZE FOR SALE – DOES NOT BOTHER ANY INVERTEBRATES OR SMALL FISH  (currently housed with multiple species of fish and invertebrates, skunk cleaner shrimp clean the inside of his mouth for him everyday)

Tessalata Eel Care Tips:

Minimum Tank Size: 300 Gallons

Max Size: Up to (5’10”)

Diet: Carnivore

Temperament: Aggressive

Lifespan: Up to 30 years

Scientific Name: Gymnothorax Favagineus

Other Names: Honeycomb Eel, Honeycomb Moray Eel, Leopard Eel, or Leopard Moray Eel

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes (Will eat cephalopods)

Approx. Purchase Size: 4 ‘

The tessalata eel, scientific name Gymnothorax Favagineus is an aggressive fish. Their minimum tank size is 180 gallons. The tessalata eel can grow up to 5’ 10” and can live up to 30 years. Tessalata eels will thicken a lot as they grow in length, tessalata eels are one of the giant morays. Tessalata eels are carnivores, they should be direct fed with long tweezers with small chunks of any type of meaty foods such as fish, shrimp, octopus and other types of sea food. Their food should not be much bigger than their head, large pieces can cause eels to choke. Eels should be fed every 2-3 days minimum. In a new environment eels can go on “hunger strike” and refuse to eat, continue to keep trying the following day if the eel won’t eat the first day. Tessalata eels can be kept singly, in pairs (if they are the same size roughly), small groups and they can also be housed with many other eels. Tessalata eels are coral safe and invertebrate safe with caution. Tessalata eels will prey upon ornamental shrimp and small fish as juveniles, as adults they will not bother will eating small fish/ shrimp.  Feeding more often can keep their aggression level down. Tessalata eels will find a cave, a rock or a tube to stay in most of the time as their “house” they will often be seen sticking their head out of their cave during the day, when they are hungry they will be running around the tank. Eels are escape artists, they require a tight fitting lid (with no holes), eels can climb out of the water, lowering the water level in the tank 1-2” can also help keep the eel from escaping. Eels can live out of water for roughly 12 hours so if they are found on the floor put them back into the tank. Searching for and finding your eel every morning and every night can help ensure they are not on the ground for 12 hours. The tessalata eel is also referred to as the honeycomb eel, honeycomb moray eel, or the leopard eel.