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Atlantic Chain Moray Eel

Chainlink Moray Eel Family: Muraenidae

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Echidna catenata Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Atlantic Chain Moray Eel or Chainlink Moray Eel is the black and white eel in the above picture.  Its' head is tucked under the brown morays' neck and you can just barely see one of its eyes.

   This one is a large specimen, the Atlantic Chain Moray Eel or Chainlink Moray Eel generally grow to about 2 feet. They have a more subtle coloring and patterning than some of the other morays. These are easy to maintain and a peaceful addition to a marine aquarium.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Atlantic Chain Moray Eel or Chainlink Moray Eel is easy to keep. Most eels are very hardy and readily eat all kinds of live and meaty foods.

Maintenance:
   Feed all kinds of live fish and meaty foods. Use a poker if necessary at first to place the food right in front of their mouth.  Don't worry if it doesn't eat for a while at first, they can go for several weeks without food (and often do).

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   Atlantic Chain Moray Eel or Chain Moray Eel are found in the Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Florida, and the Bahamas to the Antilles and Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde and Ascension Island.

Foods:
   They feed mainly on small fishes in the wild with an occasional invertebrate.

Social Behaviors:
   Sociable and peaceful, can be considered a community fish as long as the tankmates are not small enough to eat!

Sex: Sexual differences:
   Unknown.

Breeding/Reproduction:
     Not accomplished in captivity. See Breeding Marine Fish page for a description of how they reproduce in the wild.

   Several freshwater species of eels are known to lay their eggs in the ocean and die afterwards.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Temperature:
   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Atlantic Chain Moray Eel or Chainlink Moray Eel adults grow to 70 cm (30 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 200 gallon aquarium is recommended. (Probably bigger would be better).

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   Will generally stay in the bottom of the aquarium. Will find a hollow or cave to stay in most of the time.

Availability:
   This fish is available from time to time.

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Latest Comments
Chainlink eels are one of my favoite marine pets!Its fun to feed them and its fun to watch them swim at night!They are SUPER agressive when they are in a feeding frenzy!!They do give a painful bite when they are adults but when young there bites arent very painful at all.Have lots of caves for this creature(places to hide). They will out grow a 55gal tank,but they are not fast growing.I had mine for 5 months and is the same size when i bought it(it grown a 1/2in).Chainlink eels are very peaceful when during the day and dont bother fish,unless VERY hungry!This fish is worth every penny! Ben compton 2004-05-17
Some of the coolest comments:
My chainlink hides most of the time until food hits the water. He eats like he is going to the electric chair in the morning. He never bothers other fish unless he is trying to eat and someone polks there snout in his business. My guy loves shrimp and silver sides. The stinkier the treat the more he will love it..very active at night Big Dave 2005-01-17

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Author: David Brough. CFS.