The tesselata eel, also known as the honeycomb moray eel, is a species of moray eel found in the Indo-Pacific region. Its scientific name is Gymnothorax favagineus. This eel is known for its striking appearance, characterized by a pattern of hexagonal shapes on its body, resembling a honeycomb hence the name “honeycomb moray.”
Tesselata eels typically inhabit rocky and coral reefs, where they can hide in crevices during the day and hunt at night. They have sharp teeth and a strong bite, which they use to catch prey such as fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.
Despite their intimidating appearance, tesselata eels are generally not aggressive towards humans unless provoked. However, they should still be approached with caution due to their powerful jaws and potential to deliver a painful bite if threatened.
In the aquarium trade, tesselata eels are sometimes kept by experienced hobbyists in large, well-equipped tanks with plenty of hiding spots. However, they can grow quite large (up to around 1.5 meters or 5 feet), so they require ample space and careful consideration before being kept in captivity.
Size 18″