🐍 Blue Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita)
🐍 Blue Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita)
The Electric-Blue Ribbon Eel • A Golden Dorsal Fin and Flared, Leaf-Like Nostrils • A Spectacular Showpiece for Experienced Keepers
📋 The Blue Ribbon Eel, also known as the Ribbon Moray, Bernis Eel, or Leaf-Nosed Moray, is the electric-blue stage of one of the most spectacular fish in the sea: a long, slender, vivid blue body with a bright yellow dorsal fin 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 blue stage, and the same species as our Black 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
💙 Electric-Blue Body, Golden Fin: A vivid, dragon-like display
🔄 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
🧾 A Quick Look at the Blue Ribbon Eel
📛 Common Name: Blue Ribbon Eel (Ribbon Moray, Bernis Eel, Leaf-Nosed Moray)
🔬 Scientific Name: Rhinomuraena quaesita
👨👩👧 Family: Muraenidae
🌍 Origin: Indo-Pacific (East Africa to southern Japan, Australia, and French Polynesia)
📏 Max Size: Up to 130cm (≈ 51")
🧂 Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025
🌡️ Temperature Range: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
🧠 Care Level: Expert level: a specialist showpiece for experienced keepers
💖 Temperament: Peaceful but predatory; secretive around its burrow
🌿 Reef Safe: With caution: leaves corals alone, but will eat small fish and shrimp
🏠 Min Tank Size: 280 L (≈ 75 gallons) at minimum; we recommend about 400 L (≈ 105 gallons) for an adult
📌 Tank Level: Lower level; burrows in sand and rubble
🧬 Stock Type: Wild-collected as standard stock
⏳ Lifespan: Up to 20 years in the wild
🍽️ Diet: Carnivore (small fish and crustaceans); a slow, selective feeder
🐣 Reproduction: Changes from male to female as it matures; not bred in home aquariums

















