Look what I caught!! (Moray Eel ID)

[Aquarist76]

I was out fishing with my neighbor off his boat in the harbor in Honolulu. I was using a large trap net and caught this guy. I think it is an Undulated Moray eel but just wanted confirmation. I brought him home because he was too cool to throw back, but not sure I'm going to keep him long term. I don't really have a tank big enough for him long term and I've heard they're aggressive. Right now he's in a 20G tank because I had nothing set up, not planning on catching a keeper, so that was what was quickest to set up last night. I'm going to get him into a 55G QT today. For scale, the PVC pipe is 4". I'd say he's about 2ft long more or less. Would appreciate any advice. Thanks.









Also, in the same area, my neighbor caught this guy last week with a hook, but threw him back. I think it was a yellow margin eel:

 

[smitten with ocean life]

@littlefoxx ?

 

[littlefoxx]

I was out fishing with my neighbor off his boat in the harbor in Honolulu. I was using a large trap net and caught this guy. I think it is an Undulated Moray eel but just wanted confirmation. I brought him home because he was too cool to throw back, but not sure I'm going to keep him long term. I don't really have a tank big enough for him long term and I've heard they're aggressive. Right now he's in a 20G tank because I had nothing set up, not planning on catching a keeper, so that was what was quickest to set up last night. I'm going to get him into a 55G QT today. For scale, the PVC pipe is 4". I'd say he's about 2ft long more or less. Would appreciate any advice. Thanks.









Also, in the same area, my neighbor caught this guy last week with a hook, but threw him back. I think it was a yellow margin eel:

Yeah I would say you have the ID right. Fimbraided ella look similar but have a morse distinct black and white pattern vs a more blended one like yours. And ive seen that second one commonly refereed to as a dark moray!

The one you caught are for sure aggressive and you probably would need a 150 minimum to house it comfortably. Both of those are stunning eels!

 

[CBonito]

Yeah, he's gonna need a big tank just to avoid him getting all stressed out and a good skimmer etc to maintain the water quality.
I would let him go back into the ocean. That's just me.

 

[littlefoxx]

How long is it?? It cant stay in that 20g fir long

 

[Aquarist76]

Just out of curiosity, are they worth anything? Anyone wanna buy a huge eel ;) LOL. (I have not idea how I'd even ship this guy).

 

[Aquarist76]

How long is it?? It cant stay in that 20g fir long

Yes, I'm going to get him into a larger tank today. I had nothing set up last night and only had enough salt on hand to set up a 20G I had empty in the garage. Better than the 5G bucket I brought him home in.

 

[littlefoxx]

Just out of curiosity, are they worth anything? Anyone wanna buy a huge eel ;) LOL. (I have not idea how I'd even ship this guy).

Yeah they are worth a good chunk of change

 

[littlefoxx]

I would probably just release him if you cant get a 150 or so up and running in about a week

 

[Aquarist76]

Here's a pic with a bit more color to him.

 

[Should I]

thats a stunning eel but i would put him back where you got him

 

[Ks4726]

When you said you had nothing set up, did you just put it in a fresh new tank that's not cycled? If so it doesn't work this way. Its happier where you found it. Put it back. Its a beautiful eel though.

 

[Aquarist76]

When you said you had nothing set up, did you just put it in a fresh new tank that's not cycled? If so it doesn't work this way. Its happier where you found it. Put it back. Its a beautiful eel though.

Yes, I know how tanks work. LOL. He's going back though.

 

[Aquarist76]

He is now back home in the ocean.

 

[UncommonSense]

He is now back home in the ocean.

There will be other opportunities… Maybe you’ll net a ribbon eel! — I’ve seen them out at night in that area before…

 

[MauiAnglerReef]

I was out fishing with my neighbor off his boat in the harbor in Honolulu. I was using a large trap net and caught this guy. I think it is an Undulated Moray eel but just wanted confirmation. I brought him home because he was too cool to throw back, but not sure I'm going to keep him long term. I don't really have a tank big enough for him long term and I've heard they're aggressive. Right now he's in a 20G tank because I had nothing set up, not planning on catching a keeper, so that was what was quickest to set up last night. I'm going to get him into a 55G QT today. For scale, the PVC pipe is 4". I'd say he's about 2ft long more or less. Would appreciate any advice. Thanks.









Also, in the same area, my neighbor caught this guy last week with a hook, but threw him back. I think it was a yellow margin eel:

WHAT?! I thought you weren’t allowed to have eels of any kind. I might have to catch one for a 2nd tank if I end up getting it. Beautiful fish

 

[MauiAnglerReef]

He is now back home in the ocean.

That’s good, I think he is happier back in the ocean

 

[Aquarist76]

WHAT?! I thought you weren’t allowed to have eels of any kind. I might have to catch one for a 2nd tank if I end up getting it. Beautiful fish

I don't know, but I've met locals that say they catch them for food often. So I think it's ok. I really want some reef fish. Yellow tangs should be the easiest, but I'd kill to get some flame or potter's wrasses and a bandit angel or crosshatch trigger. Don't know where the good places are on Oahu. I think the big island might be better, but logistically that's too much trouble to get them back here. After catching such an awesome eel, I'm invigorated to try and catch some local fish before I leave here in the next couple of months.

For anyone interested, this is what I'm using to catch so the fish aren't harmed:

Amazon product

​

 

[MauiAnglerReef]

WHAT?! I thought you weren’t allowed to have eels of any kind. I might have to catch one for a 2nd tank if I end up getting it. Beautiful fish

I don't know, but I've met locals that say they catch them for food often. So I think it's ok. I really want some reef fish. Yellow tangs should be the easiest, but I'd kill to get some flame or potter's wrasses and a bandit angel or crosshatch trigger. Don't know where the good places are on Oahu. I think the big island might be better, but logistically that's too much trouble to get them back here. After catching such an awesome eel, I'm invigorated to try and catch some local fish before I leave here in the next couple of months.

For anyone interested, this is what I'm using to catch so the fish aren't harmed:

Amazon product

​

I’m probably going to get a 180 gallon tank, and I am thinking of going out with a scoop net and catching a yellow tang. I’ll also probably collect a variety of Zoas or any other softies that you are allowed to have. Good luck on catching those fish, Hawaiis reefs are beautiful

 

[VintageReefer]

If anyone catches a potters angelfish…dm me lol