Garden Eel (Expert Only)

About this fish

Garden Eel (Expert Only) (Heteroconger hassi) is a marine eel kept for a saltwater aquarium and best suited to experienced aquarists. In a home tank, a garden eel is typically displayed by its habit of living in the sand bed with only the head showing, making it a dramatic, natural-looking centerpiece when the environment is set up correctly.

Features:

• Typically spends most of the day in the rockwork and/or sand bed, emerging with only the head visible
• Needs plenty of secure hiding space (caves/rock structure) in a mature setup
• Relies on a deep sand bed to feel secure and to exhibit natural foraging behavior
• Keep with appropriately sized tankmates, as eels are predatory and may take small fish and crustaceans
• Use an escape-proof lid/covering for all openings, as eels can move through small gaps
• Feed a varied diet of meaty foods such as frozen fish and seafood to support health in captivity
• Acclimate slowly and provide a quiet settling area after introduction to reduce stress

Specifications:

• Care level: Expert (species is difficult and can be demanding in captivity)
• Scientific name: Heteroconger hassi
• Habitat/placement: Sand-bed dwelling; provide a secure deep sand area plus caves/rockwork
• Temperament: Predatory; may eat small fish and crustaceans
• Diet: Meaty frozen foods such as silversides, squid, and shrimp
• Tank maturity: Best in a mature system with stable conditions
• Lighting: Not specialized, but helps to avoid harsh, stressful lighting
• Water type: Marine saltwater
• Temperature (general marine range): ~22–27°C
• Salinity (general marine range): ~1.020–1.025 SG