What eel is this?

[glarior]

I was impulsive today and bought a freshwater eel. The store told me it is a snowflake eel. However, after searching the web for more information on my eel I have come to believe it is not a snowflake eel. I proceeded to look for freshwater eel pictures to compare but nothing matched what I have. I am asking you for your help...please. Do you know what eel this is? Thanks

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[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Appears to be a "freshwater" moray - Gymnothorax tile. They are not really freshwater but are in fact a brackish fish. I should add, it is a very young one.

[bluekrissyspikes]

i agree and it will need to go to a salty tank when it gets bigger.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Not necessarily. They are one of those few organisms that spend almost their entire lives in brackish environments, however they can tollerate fresh all the way to marine. The biggest issue here is size, they get to 24" long.

Here is some advanced info on them.
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[bluekrissyspikes]

oh, i thought they started out fw and made their way to salt as they got older. i could be wrong since it's been a while. either way i'd bring it back and get something different

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Nope, they are a true brackish species. :)

[glarior]

Wow, fast reply! Thank you.

I had a freshwater moray eel but it was darker and smaller. I was assuming this was different considering the lighter white color. However, after looking at your attached URL I read... "“Snowflake Eel” (not to be confused with the other “Snowflake Eel” Echidna nebulosa)" That could answer why it is a lighter color.

I enjoy eels very much! I thank you for your article and help!