Black Dragon Eel

About this fish

Meet the Black Dragon Eel, a saltwater eel made for the home aquarium hobbyist who wants a dramatic, cave-dwelling predator. In most home tanks, this type of eel typically spends much of the day hidden in the rockwork, then emerges to hunt—making it a unique centerpiece when housed with suitable, non-donatable tankmates and a secure escape-proof setup.

Features:

• Sedentary, cave-and-rockwork style: expect the eel to spend daytime hiding in holes and caves and showing its head only intermittently. ([s7d1.scene7.com](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/content/PETCO/public/finallib/ecom-team/petco/Caresheets/aquatic/caresheet-marine-eel-2016.pdf))
• Predatory feeding behavior: offer meaty, carnivore-appropriate frozen foods such as silversides, shrimp, and squid, and use care when selecting tankmates because small fish and invertebrates may be eaten. ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))
• Escape-proof housing is essential: marine eels are known escape artists, so use a well-fitting hood and cover any potential gaps. ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))
• Intermediate-to-advanced husbandry: keep stable water quality and temperature, since eels are sensitive to rapid changes. ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))
• Quiet settling space: provide appropriate hiding places large enough for the eel to fit inside to help it feel secure after arrival. ([s7d1.scene7.com](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/content/PETCO/public/finallib/ecom-team/petco/Caresheets/aquatic/caresheet-marine-eel-2016.pdf))

Specifications:

• Care level: Intermediate to advanced (depending on species). ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))
• Aquarium size (general): 50+ gallons is recommended for marine eels, depending on adult size. ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))
• Water temperature (general): 74.2–80°F (23–27°C). ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))
• Salinity (specific gravity): 1.020–1.025. ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))
• pH (general saltwater target guidance): 8.1–8.4. ([hannainst.com](https://www.hannainst.com/hubfs/006-finished-content/Aquarium/Saltwater-Aquarium-Water-Parameters-Guidelines-1.pdf?utm_source=openai))
• Diet (general): Carnivore; commonly fed frozen silversides and shrimp; squid can be given occasionally. ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))
• Behavior/placement: Nocturnal/mostly hidden; provide large hiding places in the rockwork. ([petco.com](https://www.petco.com/pet-education/caresheets/marine-eel))