So, today I thought I’d do something a little different for my blog post so I set out to scour the Internet for an interesting subject. Well I found one as I was scanning through the fish for sale at Salt Water Fish.com. There I found a specimen that cost an astounding $800.00! You may be wondering exactly what you could buy at put in your tank at this exorbiant price, so let me tell you. That nice chunk of change will purchase you one very expensive Hawaiian Dragon Moray Eel.
Well, what is a Dragon Moray? These reclusive creatures live in rock crevices, caves, and other shadowy areas in the warmer regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are most commonly seen in the areas around Hawaii, hence their name. The odd looking eels feature stripes and dots all over their body and are characterized by two “horns” that protrude from above their eyes. These horns are actually enlarged nostrils that help to account for the eels’ amazing sense of smell.
Now you might be wondering just why these specimens cost so much. That’s actually pretty easy to explain as there are several reasons. First and foremost, Dragon Moray Eels are rarely seen and even less likely to be caught, making them a rare find in a pet shop. On the off chance that someone catches one of these guys and wants to sell it, they’ll have to go through the tough regulations that Hawaii puts forth for both catching and selling aquatic animals.
Do you really want a Dragon Moray Eel in your aquarium? Well, unless you are very experienced and are ready to put forth some effort, then you probably don’t want to purchase this slippery creature. First and foremost, this Moray Eel is extremely aggressive and will have to be kept in a large (180 gallons or larger) tank, as it can grow to up to 3 feet in length. The aquarium must also be completely sealed because Dragon Morays have been known to escape through the smallest holes. You’ll also need to provide your new pet with plenty of rocks to create a hiding space as the eels don’t like to come out during the day. Finally you’ll need to keep a supply of live meat on hand to feed this critter a few times a week. And watch out for the razor sharp backward pointing teeth, because if the eel feels threatened or hungry he will attack. On the up side, these eels can live for 10 years, meaning your investment may prove itself in the end.
Do you own a Hawaii Dragon Moray Eel? If so. let me know what you think about him/her (actually these eels are kind of “its” but who really cares). Post a comment!