Gymnothorax thyrsoideus

Datasheet

General Description

The Greyface moray (Gymnothorax thyrsoideus) belongs to the Muraenidae family, known for being predatory fish that primarily feed on fish or crustaceans. These eels are recognizable by their slender bodies and distinctive white-eyed, freckled appearance. They can reach a maximum size of 66.0cm and are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region, from Christmas Island to French Polynesia, displaying a range from the Ryukyu Islands in the north to Tonga in the south.

Aquarium Suitability

With a hardy nature, Greyface morays are suitable for aquariums but require careful consideration due to their escape artist tendencies. They can be aggressive towards smaller fish and pose a threat to crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs. Being nocturnal creatures, they are most active in dim or dark lighting conditions, and they have a habit of rearranging rocks and sand within the tank.

Demands, Care, and Hardiness

To maintain the well-being of Greyface morays, they should be fed a varied diet of live or fresh fish and crustaceans every 3-4 days, as overeating can be harmful to them. It is crucial to ensure that they have ample hiding spots among live rocks in the aquarium to feel secure. These eels are hardy in nature but may become aggressive, requiring larger tank sizes of at least 800 liters to accommodate their needs adequately.

Reef Suitability

Greyface morays are considered reef-safe with caution. While some smaller species can thrive in reef setups, larger species like the Gymnothorax thyrsoideus require spacious tanks with other large fish due to their potentially aggressive behavior.

Aquarium Setup

Setting up an aquarium for Greyface morays involves securely placing rocks and corals to prevent their displacement by the eels. Lids and covers must be tightly sealed as these eels are known for their ability to escape by lifting them. Maintaining water parameters within the recommended ranges of pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, and a temperature between 22.2-25.6°C is essential for their health.

Behaviour

Greyface morays exhibit aggressive behavior, particularly towards smaller tank mates. They are primarily nocturnal, displaying heightened activity levels during low-light periods within the aquarium.

Feeding and Diet

Feeding Greyface morays a varied diet of fish and larger crustaceans like shrimp and crabs every 3-4 days is crucial to their well-being. They may display reluctance to consume frozen foods initially, requiring patience and potentially offering live alternatives to entice their feeding behavior.

Habitat and Distribution

In their natural habitat, Greyface morays are found across the East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific regions. They prefer rocky crevices and coral formations where they can hide and hunt for prey, showcasing their adept predatory nature in the wild.