Echidna nebulosa (snowflake moray eel)

[Baschy]

Dear forum-members,

has anyone experience or information considering the breeding of echidna nebulosa (snowflake moray eel)?

Does anyone know if these creatures are sequential hermaphrodites or simultaneous hermaphrodites? Are there any sexual dimorphisms or sexual dichromatisms? I'd be thankfull for really any information!

Greetings from South-Germany

Sebastian

[FMarini]

Sebastian--
I don't know about echidna, but w/ Zebra eels (Gymnomuraena) appear to be sequential. I am always about to pair up and get breeding activity when i place an new smaller eels w/ a much larger established animal, it seem to take a few months after they are together before, it clearly apparent the dominant and submissive animals.
As for any dimorphism or dichromatism -- i don't know for SFE, my zebra eels-no
Yoy might find this article useful
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-12/fm/index.php

[Baschy]

Hai FMarine,

thanks a lot for that interesting Link! It was able to sweep away many of my thoughts and sorrows. Thanks a lot!

Any one of you got more information? Especially on the fact if echidna nebulosa is sequential hermaphrodite or simultaneous hermaphrodite? In the first case how can I find differences between males and females?

[aomont]

Fishbase lists E. nebulosa as protogynous.
http://www.fishbase.org/Reproduction/Fi ... kCode=5647
Its reference is:
Fishelson, L. 1992 Comparative gonad morphology and sexuality of the Muraenidae (Pisces, Teleostei). Copeia 1992(1):197-209.
Abstract can be found here:
http://www.jstor.org/pss/1446552

Anderson.

[FMarini]

Anderson--
Thanks for the info. I recall seeing that earlier.

it seems eels are pretty well split w/ both gonochrist and protogynous and simultaneous hermaphrodism. It also seems that snowflakes and zebra morays are both protogynous.
Interesting to see if the females are the dominant fish , and in my hands the larger of the two