What water parameters does the Bar-tail Moray need?

The Bar-tail Moray does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.

Is the Bar-tail Moray aggressive?

The Bar-tail Moray is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.

What does the Bar-tail Moray eat?

The Bar-tail Moray is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.

Is the Bar-tail Moray reef safe?

The Bar-tail Moray is generally considered reef safe.

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FishSaltwaterAdvancedAggressive

Bar-tail Moray

Gymnothorax zonipectis

Also known as: Barred-fin Moray, Barredfin Moray, Zonipectis Moray

A boldly patterned Indo-Pacific moray with a distinctive barred tail fin.

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About

The bar-tail moray (Gymnothorax zonipectis) is a smaller moray eel found across the Indo-West Pacific, inhabiting coral reefs and rocky substrates where it spends most of its time wedged into crevices and caves. Despite the freshwater classification in the metadata, this is very much a marine species, and any aquarium setup should reflect that. The common name comes from the distinctive barring pattern visible on the tail fin, which helps separate it from the many similar-looking morays in the genus Gymnothorax. Like most morays, it has a muscular, elongated body covered in smooth, scaleless skin, and it breathes by continuously opening and closing its mouth. A behavior that looks threatening but is simply how it moves water over its gills. In the aquarium, the bar-tail moray does best in a well-established reef or fish-only system with plenty of rockwork to hide in. It is an ambush predator, so tankmates need to be chosen carefully. Anything small enough to swallow is on the menu. Intermediate care is a fair rating, as morays are generally hardy once settled, but their dietary needs and escape-artist tendencies require a keeper who knows what they are getting into.

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At a glance

Type: Fish
Water: Saltwater
Origin: Indo-West Pacific
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Aggressive
Swimming level: Bottom
Reef safe: Yes

Water parameters

Temperature: 72–82°F
pH: 8–8.4

Care guide

Provide extensive rockwork with crevices and caves for hiding; morays are reclusive and stress easily in bare tanks. Secure all equipment and tank lids. They are notorious escape artists and can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Feed meaty foods like thawed shrimp, squid, and small fish pieces two to three times weekly; use feeding tweezers or a feeding stick to avoid accidental nips. Their continuous mouth-opening is normal gill respiration, not aggression. Avoid housing with small fish, shrimp, or crustaceans. Anything that fits in the mouth will be eaten. Maintain excellent water quality and stable conditions; sudden parameter changes stress these fish. They do better in larger tanks with established biofilms and minimal disturbance.

Frequently asked questions

What water parameters does the Bar-tail Moray need?: The Bar-tail Moray does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
Is the Bar-tail Moray aggressive?: The Bar-tail Moray is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
What does the Bar-tail Moray eat?: The Bar-tail Moray is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
Is the Bar-tail Moray reef safe?: The Bar-tail Moray is generally considered reef safe.