Golden Dwarf Moray Eel Tank Size?

[NewR33FER]

What do you think the minimum size for a golden dwarf moray is? Some people say 20 gallons while others are a lot more conservative and say 65 gallons or more. I’m thinking about getting a 30 gallon tank (cube) with lots of rock work, but I’m not sure if an eel this size can fit in that tank.

 

[Biokabe]

What do you think the minimum size for a golden dwarf moray is? Some people say 20 gallons while others are a lot more conservative and say 65 gallons or more. I’m thinking about getting a 30 gallon tank (cube) with lots of rock work, but I’m not sure if an eel this size can fit in that tank.

It's a mostly pointless question to ask. Golden dwarfs fall under the Hawaii collection ban and haven't been included in the list of fish likely to be approved for collection when the fishery eventually reopens. Unless you're catching one yourself, you're very unlikely to find one no matter what size tank you have.

With that out of the way, I've seen people keep them in anything from a 40g+ tank. A 30 gallon cube might be okay. But given the scarcity, if you can even find one expect to pay north of $1,000 for one.

 

[Largeangels]

Having had one for about 8-10 years you can probably get away with a 29 gallon tank, but larger is better.

They don't do much except hide in their cave and come out to feed. Mine was about 12" long and as thick as a pencil. Would eat pellets and small and large Hikari mysis.

 

[ryan4444]

I am currently looking to buy one, I know I will pay a lot of money. Anyone know who would have them?

 

[MauiAnglerReef]

I am currently looking to buy one, I know I will pay a lot of money. Anyone know who would have them?

Unless there is someone who has had one for a while and is quitting reefing, you are never getting one. After the Hawai’i ban they pretty much vanished from the hobby. If you want a small pretty eel, get a snowflake or if you are willing to spend a LOT of money, treat yourself with a dragon eel. Coolest fish in the hobby.

But if you REALLY want to find a golden eel, you will need a 35+ gallon tank (larger is better) from what I’ve heard because they are decently active depending on the individual. Also try to keep any tank mates calm and not too tiny so they don’t get eaten, I’ve heard these eels are very shy and don’t like a bunch of active tank mates.

Before the ban, they went for around $700 I believe. Now if you somehow find one, it will probably be like $1500, which at that point you should just get a dragon eel.

A small eel that needs only 50 gallons (minimum) is a snowflake eel, and they are like $50 at any LFS. Very cool eel, I love mine

 

[NewR33FER]

I am currently looking to buy one, I know I will pay a lot of money. Anyone know who

If you were not exclusively wanting a golden dwarf moray, but you do want a small moray, I have seen advertisements for a Chestnut Moray. It’s a viper moray, it only grows up to around 12 inches, and reef safe with caution. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get it shipped from here. It may be sold out, but I have seen it in stock many times. https://absolutelyfishnaturals.com/collections/misc-large-predatory/products/chestnut-moray

 

[ryan4444]

Oh my gosh, that is awesome! I do not have any experience with these guys. I have had snowflakes and ribbon eels. This is so cool, thank you for the information. Have you ever housed one?

 

[Marine Betta]

What do you think the minimum size for a golden dwarf moray is? Some people say 20 gallons while others are a lot more conservative and say 65 gallons or more. I’m thinking about getting a 30 gallon tank (cube) with lots of rock work, but I’m not sure if an eel this size can fit in that tank.

They can be found in other areas of the Indo-Pqcific outside of Hawaii. I saw one for sale for about $800 a year ago. I would try asking someone like NYAquatic to look for one. They seem to have a knack for getting hard to find fish.