Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Snowflake Moray
Echidna nebulosa (Ahl, 1789)
Also called Snowflake eel, Starry moray, Clouded moray, Puhi-kapa (Hawaiian)
From Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and the Society Islands, plus the eastern Central Pacific from Baja California to northern Colombia.12
At a glance the quick version
Commonly about 50 cm; maximum 100 cm. Aquarium specimens usually reach about 60 cm (24 in).
Lives 15 years or more in aquariums.
Looks how to spot one
Scaleless eel with mucus-covered skin
A slender, scaleless moray with a blunt white snout and a creamy body covered in two rows of large, branching black blotches dotted with yellow, a pattern that looks like snowflakes. It has yellow eyes, yellow tube-like nostrils and a fin running the length of its back. Its small blunt teeth are built for crushing shells.21
Personality what they are like
A relatively mellow moray that usually rests with only its head peeking out of the rocks. It ignores fish it cannot swallow and leaves corals alone.123
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Mostly active at night, when it hunts along the bottom using its keen sense of smell rather than its eyesight.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Rated easy and hardy. A tight-fitting lid is essential because it is an accomplished escape artist. It is a messy eater, so good filtration helps.32
Home where they are happiest
An aquarium of at least about 190 litres (50 US gallons) with plenty of rock caves and a secure cover. Water about 22 to 26 °C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, dKH 8 to 12, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A carnivore that mainly eats crustaceans in nature. In aquariums it accepts krill, shrimp, silversides, octopus and other meaty foods.123
Company who they like around
Solitary; can live with fish too big to eat and with corals, but not with crabs or shrimps.13
The story where it all began
Johan Ahl described it in 1789. Its Hawaiian name, puhi-kapa, is linked to a nickname of King Kamehameha I, and it has become one of the most popular morays in home aquariums.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 16 August 2011)1
- Taxonomy
- Family Muraenidae; described by J. N. Ahl in 17891
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Snowflake Moray. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Snowflake Moray?
Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed small amounts once or twice a day. This carnivore accepts krill, shrimp, silversides, and other meaty foods. Always follow the food label and ask your vet for exact portions.123 Pet Wiki plan
What does a Snowflake Moray eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats meaty foods like krill, shrimp, silversides, and octopus. Never feed it crabs or shrimps, as it will eat them. It is a carnivore that mainly eats crustaceans in nature.123
How much space does a Snowflake Moray need?
It needs an aquarium of at least about 190 litres (50 US gallons) with plenty of rock caves and a secure cover. A tight-fitting lid is essential because it is an accomplished escape artist.32
What temperature, light or water does a Snowflake Moray need?
Water should be 22 to 26 °C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, dKH 8 to 12, and specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025. It is mostly active at night, so standard aquarium lighting is fine. Check temperature daily and salinity weekly.32 Pet Wiki plan
How often should I clean a Snowflake Moray's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests cleaning the glass weekly, testing water weekly, and changing about 10 to 20% of the water every two weeks. Good filtration helps because it is a messy eater.32 Pet Wiki plan
Can a Snowflake Moray live with others?
It is solitary but can live with fish too big to eat and with corals. It ignores fish it cannot swallow and leaves corals alone. Do not keep it with crabs or shrimps, as it will eat them.13
How long does a Snowflake Moray live?
It can live up to 15 years with proper care. This is a hardy eel that is relatively mellow and usually rests with only its head peeking out of the rocks.2
Can I handle a Snowflake Moray?
It is best not to handle it, as it has small blunt teeth built for crushing shells and may bite if stressed. It has mucus-covered skin and is an accomplished escape artist, so always use a secure lid.213
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.
- FishBase: Echidna nebulosa summary fishbase.seused for distribution, depth, length, diet, behaviour, IUCN status, colour
- Wikipedia: Snowflake moray en.wikipedia.orgused for names, description, senses, lifespan, aquarium notes, fun facts
- LiveAquaria: Snowflake Eel liveaquaria.comused for aquarium care level, tank size, water parameters, diet, tankmates
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.