Spotted Garden Eel (Heteroconger hassi)

The Spotted Garden Eel is a unique and fascinating marine species known for its habit of burrowing into the sandy substrate with only its head and upper body exposed. With its long, slender body marked by black spots, the Spotted Garden Eel resembles a miniature "garden" when kept in groups. This peaceful eel adds natural intrigue and movement to a tank but requires specific conditions, including a deep sandy substrate and low-stress environment, to feel secure.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 16 inches, though most of its body remains hidden in the sand.
• Tank Size: 50 gallons minimum, but larger tanks are recommended for groups. Requires a deep sand bed (at least 6 inches) for burrowing.
• Diet: Carnivorous; primarily feeds on plankton and small meaty foods. In captivity, it can be fed live or frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other small meaty foods. Target feeding is recommended to ensure it receives adequate nutrition.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; best kept with other non-aggressive fish and should not be housed with large or predatory tankmates that might disturb or prey on it.
• Skill Level: Intermediate; requires a stable, low-stress environment with ample sand depth, frequent feedings, and gentle water flow.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates, making it an excellent addition to peaceful reef tanks with the right substrate.

Special Requirement - Deep Sand Bed
The Spotted Garden Eel spends most of its life burrowed in the sand and requires a deep sandy substrate (6 inches or more) to dig and create secure burrows. In the wild, garden eels are found in colonies, so keeping multiple individuals together with sufficient space and depth is ideal.

Compatibility
This eel is peaceful and does well in a community tank with other non-aggressive tankmates. Avoid housing with large, territorial, or predatory species that may stress or prey on the eels.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Spotted Garden Eel has a white to light brown body covered with numerous black spots, giving it a distinct, speckled appearance. Its head typically has larger spots, adding to its characteristic look when poking out from its burrow​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Found in the Indo-Pacific, especially in sandy reef slopes and lagoon areas. The Spotted Garden Eel forms colonies and inhabits sandy flats where it feeds on plankton in the water column​.