Tessalata Eel

Tessalata Eel: The Giant of the Reef

The Tessalata Eel (Gymnothorax favagineus), also widely known as the Honeycomb Moray or Laced Moray, is one of the largest and most dramatically patterned moray eels available to hobbyists. It is easily identified by its striking, high-contrast coloration: a white or creamy yellow body overlaid with dark brown to black blotches that form a distinct honeycomb or tessellated pattern. This impressive fish is a magnificent, though highly demanding, addition to a very large marine aquarium.

Native to the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef, the Tessalata Eel is a true giant, capable of reaching lengths of 5 to 6 feet (150–180 cm) in captivity, and up to 10 feet in the wild. Due to its size, immense bioload, and powerful build, a minimum aquarium size of 180 gallons is required, with larger systems (300+ gallons) highly recommended for long-term adult care.

The Tessalata Eel is a powerful, nocturnal predator that requires a tightly sealed aquarium, as all morays are notorious escape artists. Extreme caution should always be exercised when performing tank maintenance, as its bite is powerful and can lead to serious bacterial infection.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This eel is a dedicated Carnivore and an ambush predator. It feeds primarily on fish and cephalopods (like octopus) at night. In captivity, it must be fed a varied diet of meaty frozen foods, such as silversides, krill, pieces of raw fish, squid, and shrimp. It should be fed via tongs or a feeding stick to reduce the risk of biting the owner's hand.
• Feeding: To prevent digestive issues and limit bioload, large morays should be fed one substantial meal only every 3–4 days. Overfeeding can cause health problems and aggressive behavior.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe With Caution. While the eel will generally ignore corals, its large size and powerful movements can easily knock over rockwork and coral colonies. **It is NOT Invert Safe**, and will consume virtually all ornamental shrimp, crabs, and smaller fish.
• Temperament: It is Aggressive / Predatory. This species should only be housed in a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) system with very large, robust, and equally aggressive tankmates (e.g., large groupers, triggerfish, or large angels) that are too big to be swallowed. It is generally solitary and should not be kept with other morays unless in a massive aquarium.
• Housing Requirements: The aquarium must be scaped with large, stable, and well-anchored rockwork to provide multiple secure caves and crevices where the eel can hide its entire body.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Gymnothorax favagineus
• Primary Common Name: Tessalata Eel
• Other Common Names: Honeycomb Moray, Laced Moray, Leopard Eel
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to Great Barrier Reef)
• Max Size: 5–10 feet (150–300 cm)
• Temperament: Aggressive / Predatory (Requires Caution)
• Diet: Carnivore (Meaty frozen foods)
• Minimum Tank Size: 180+ Gallons (Larger is strongly preferred)
• Reef Compatibility: With Caution (Will consume small fish and invertebrates)