Japanese Dragon Moray Eel
Enchelycore pardalis
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 180 gallons |
| Max Size | 24 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Japanese Dragon Moray Eel (Enchelycore pardalis) is a large Indo-Pacific moray with curved jaws, tubular “horn-like” nostrils, and high-contrast red/orange markings around the head. It spends most of its time positioned in a favorite crevice or den, with the head visible and the body tucked into rockwork.
What You’ll Observe:
- Holding a steady “guard post” from a cave while watching the room
- Increased movement around the tank when lights dim or feeding time is near
- Tracking food by scent and striking quickly when a piece passes close
- Reusing the same tunnels and hideouts as a regular routine
To help it settle in, provide deep, stable rockwork with multiple caves (PVC tubes can work well as dens) and maintain strong filtration and oxygenation. Offer varied marine meaty foods by feeding tongs at a consistent spot so it learns a predictable feeding routine.
Does a dragon moray usually keep its mouth open?
Yes’this species“ jaw shape and teeth can make an “open mouth” look normal even when it’s relaxed.
Will it move rocks or topple loose frags while it chooses a den?
It often presses into tight spaces, so stable rockwork and secured d??cor helps keep the layout consistent.
How do most keepers get it to take food reliably from tongs?
Keeping a consistent feeding location and offering long strips of marine flesh helps it recognize the routine and target the food cleanly.
Is it normal for appetite to come and go over time?
Many keepers report clear “on/off” feeding cycles, where the eel eats well for a period and then shows less interest for a while.
Can it be kept with another moray in the same system?
Some aquarists keep more than one with abundant space and multiple dens, but most setups do best treating it as a single-feature eel unless the pair is already established.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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