Hawaiian Garden Eel (Gorgasia hawaiiensis)

Fish in the family Congridae. Hard care. Reef Safe.

Quick facts

Scientific nameGorgasia hawaiiensis

FamilyCongridae

Care levelHard

Reef safetyReef Safe

TemperamentPeaceful

Dietplanktivore

Adult size24 in

Minimum tank size75 gallons

Water parametersTemperature: 72-78°F pH: 8.1-8.3 Salinity: 1.023-1.025

Feeding schedule2-3 times daily

Appearance

Hawaiian Garden Eels are slender, elongated eels with a distinctive yellow body marked with irregular dark brown or black bands or spots. They have a characteristic small mouth and large eyes positioned on the side of the head, and typically remain partially buried in sand with only their anterior portion exposed.

Diet and feeding

Hawaiian Garden Eels are natural plankton feeders that hover just above the sand to catch small organisms in the current. In captivity, they require small live or frozen foods such as copepods, amphipods, and mysid shrimp offered multiple times daily.

Difficulty and care for the Hawaiian Garden Eel

Moderate - Requires some experience due to specific dietary water or tank requirements. Best suited for intermediate aquarists.

Common health issues

Marine Ich, Fin Rot, Swim Bladder Disease, Bacterial Infections, Parasitic Infestations

Origin and habitat

Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, found in sandy areas of reef environments at depths typically between 20–100 feet.

Log Hawaiian Garden Eel in your reef tank

Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Hawaiian Garden Eel alongside everything else in your reef.

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