Snowflake Moray

Echidna nebulosa

A moray that prefers crabs to fish, peeking from rocky caves with its mouth open – it is breathing, not threatening!

A predatory saltwater fish that grows to 60 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 24–28 °C, pH 8.0–8.4 and an aquarium of at least 300 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Saltwater

Temperature

24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH

8.0–8.4

Adult size

60 cm (24 in)

Aquarium

300 L or bigger (79 US gal)

Temperament

Predator

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Indo-Pacific reef flats

Good to know

• Eats invertebrates. Hunts shrimp, snails and crabs.
• Shy. Stressed without plants, rocks or caves to hide in.
• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.
• Nocturnal. Hides and rests while the lights are on, and comes out to explore and feed at night.

Tank mates

Good company: Achilles Tang, Blue Tang, Clarion Angelfish, Copperband Butterflyfish, Emperor Angelfish, Foxface Rabbitfish, Gem Tang, Lionfish, Moorish Idol, Regal Angelfish.

Will eat: Banggai Cardinalfish, Blue-Leg Hermit Crab, Coral Beauty, Firefish Goby, Flame Angelfish, Flame Hawkfish, Green Chromis, Harlequin Shrimp, Mandarin Dragonet, Neon Goby, Ocellaris Clownfish, Peacock Mantis Shrimp and 9 more.

Attacks: Aurora Moon Jelly, Flower Hat Jelly.

Attacked by: Clown Triggerfish.

Colours

• Classic rare

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.