Goldentail Moray

The goldentail moray is one of the most common and most easily recognized morays of the Caribbean: its dark brown body is covered with yellow spots that are very small on the head and grow larger and merge towards the tail; the tip of the tail is always light-colored, usually golden yellow. It stays small compared with most moray species and also leaves its lair to roam during the day. Opening and closing its mouth is breathing, not aggression. Specimens are wild-collected.

• At least 400 liters; the tank length should be at least twice the moray's length.
• Escape prevention: Even the smallest gap in the lid must be closed; morays escape through cable holes.
• Pipes, caves and firmly secured rocks where it can hide its body; salinity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe with caution: It leaves corals alone, but eats shrimp, crabs and fish that fit in its mouth.

Carnivorous. Chopped fish, shrimp, squid and mussels are offered with tongs or a feeding stick; adults are fed 2–3 times a week. Do not hand-feed; its bite causes deep wounds.

Relatively calm; it usually gets along with fish too large to fit in its mouth. When hunting it sometimes moves together with other predatory fish.

Good companions: Medium and large fish: tangs, large angelfish, foxface, triggerfish, groupers, large wrasses.

Avoid: Ornamental shrimp, crabs, small fish, an aquarium without a lid.