Tessalata Eel (Gymnothorax Favagineus)

The Tessalata Eel (Gymnothorax favagineus), also known as the Honeycomb Moray or Laced Moray, is a visually commanding marine predator featuring a high-contrast honeycomb pattern of dark blotches across a creamy yellow body. Native to the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef, this impressive species thrives in large systems featuring sturdy, well-anchored rock caves where it can securely retreat.

A dedicated carnivore and ambush predator, this moray eel feeds on meaty items such as fish, squid, and shrimp offered via tongs every few days. Its substantial size makes it ideal for specialized, predator-focused marine aquariums containing large, robust tankmates.

Key Features

Highlights

• Scientific Name: Gymnothorax favagineus
• Primary Common Name: Tessalata Eel
• Other Common Names: Honeycomb Moray, Laced Moray, Leopard Eel
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to Great Barrier Reef)
• Max Size: 5–10 feet (150–300 cm)
• Temperament: Aggressive / Predatory (Requires Caution)
• Diet: Carnivore (Meaty frozen foods)
• Minimum Tank Size: 180+ Gallons (Larger is strongly preferred)
• Reef Compatibility: With Caution (Will consume small fish and invertebrates)

Materials & care

• Diet: This eel is a dedicated carnivore and an ambush predator. It feeds primarily on fish and cephalopods at night. In captivity, it requires a varied diet of meaty frozen foods, such as silversides, krill, pieces of raw fish, squid, and shrimp. Feeding should be conducted via tongs or a feeding stick.
• Feeding: To prevent digestive issues and limit bioload, large morays should be fed one substantial meal every 3–4 days. Overfeeding can cause health problems and aggressive behavior.
• Reef Compatibility: This species is reef safe with caution. While the eel will generally ignore corals, its large size and powerful movements can easily knock over rockwork and coral colonies. It is not invert safe and will consume ornamental shrimp, crabs, and smaller fish.
• Temperament: This species is aggressive and predatory. It should be housed in a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) system with large, robust, and equally aggressive tankmates that are too big to be swallowed. It is generally solitary and should not be kept with other morays unless in a massive aquarium.
• Housing Requirements: The aquarium must be scaped with large, stable, and well-anchored rockwork to provide multiple secure caves and crevices where the eel can hide its entire body.

Compatibility

Best suited for Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) setups with large, aggressive tankmates such as groupers or large triggerfish. Not safe with invertebrates or small fish.

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