🐍 Black Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita)
The Jet-Black Ribbon Eel • A Golden Dorsal Fin and Flared, Leaf-Like Nostrils • A Spectacular Showpiece for Experienced Keepers
 
📋 The Black Ribbon Eel, also known as the Ribbon Moray, Bernis Eel, or Leaf-Nosed Moray, is one of the most spectacular fish you can keep: a long, slender, jet-black body with a bright yellow dorsal fin running its full length and elaborate, leaf-like flared nostrils. With only its head and flared nostrils rising from its sandy burrow, it looks like a tiny dragon watching over its tank. It's the only species in its genus, found in lagoons, reef flats, and seagrass beds from East Africa to French Polynesia.
Few fish have a story like this one. Ribbon eels change colour as they mature, from black juveniles to vivid blue-and-yellow adults and finally to yellow, and they're famous for changing from male to female along the way. This is the black stage, and the same species as our Blue Ribbon Eel and Ghost Ribbon Eel, so you can choose the look you love.
A ribbon eel is a specialist fish for experienced keepers, and success starts with the setup: a deep sand bed to burrow in, a calm and stable tank, a heavy gap-free lid, and live food to start. Every ribbon eel we ship is feeding well, and new eels do best on live feeder fish or ghost shrimp before moving across to frozen foods, so we'll help you plan the first weeks.
 
💡 Highlights
🐉 A Dragon-Like Showpiece: Jet-black body, golden fin, and flared leaf-like nostrils
🔄 A Remarkable Colour Story: Black, then blue and yellow, then yellow as it matures
🏖️ A Natural Burrower: Rises from its sand burrow like a tiny dragon
🍽️ Ships Feeding Well: Every ribbon eel we send is eating confidently
🔒 Secure Lid Essential: A clever escape artist