Onestripe Wormfish (Gunnellichthys pleurotaenia)
Fish in the family Congridae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
A slender, eel-like fish with a pale tan to light brown body marked by a distinctive single dark stripe running the length of the body. The head is small and pointed, typical of garden-eel morphology, with the dorsal fin extending along most of the back.
Diet and feeding
Feeds primarily on small zooplankton and small crustaceans in the wild. In captivity, offer small frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, copepods, and amphipods multiple times daily, preferably using a feeding pipette near the fish's burrow.
Difficulty and care for the Onestripe Wormfish
Moderately challenging for hobbyists. Requires a deep sand bed for burrowing, stable water conditions, and a reliable supply of small live or frozen planktonic foods. Generally hardy once acclimated, but prone to starvation if not fed appropriately.
Common health issues
Starvation, parasitic infections, bacterial disease from poor water quality
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and French Polynesia, found on coral reef slopes and drop-offs at depths of 20–60 meters.
Log Onestripe Wormfish 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 Onestripe Wormfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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