{"product_id":"splendid-garden-eel-7-12","title":"Splendid Garden Eel","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSplendid Garden Eel\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Splendid Garden Eel (\u003cem\u003eGorgasia preclara\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most visually distinctive and behaviorally fascinating fish in the saltwater hobby. \u003cstrong\u003eBanded in vivid yellow and white from head to tail\u003c\/strong\u003e, this slender, swaying eel emerges from the sandbed like a living blade of grass, holding its body upright in the current and dipping back into its burrow at the slightest disturbance. Few fish in the hobby create the same kind of mesmerizing, \"alive sandbed\" effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes \u003cem\u003eGorgasia preclara\u003c\/em\u003e particularly compelling is its colony-style behavior. In nature, Splendid Garden Eels live in vast fields of dozens to hundreds of individuals, all swaying together in the current as they pluck zooplankton from the water column. In a properly set up reef or FOWLR system, they replicate this behavior beautifully, transforming an open sandbed from negative space into a living, moving feature. Combined with their bold yellow banding and gentle, deliberate temperament, they are a true conversation piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSourced from Indo-Pacific waters, Splendid Garden Eels are not commonly available in the hobby and are reserved for hobbyists with the right setup to support them long-term. This is a fish for the patient reefer who wants something genuinely different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#1a5a61;\"\u003eAvailable Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: linear-gradient(180deg,#f6fbf8 0%, #edf7f2 100%); border: 1px solid #d4e6e3; border-radius: 12px; padding: 13px 15px;\"\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"color:#1a5a61; margin-bottom:6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Garden Eel (7–12\")\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne Splendid Garden Eel selected based on current availability — banded yellow and white coloration\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMature size with established burrowing behavior, ready to settle into a fine-sand system\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eA rare opportunity to keep one of the most visually unique sandbed-dwelling fish in the hobby\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#184f69;\"\u003eCare Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:10px 10px;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"width:50%; background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🌡️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e74–80°F (23–27°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"width:50%; background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🧂 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1.024–1.026 — drip acclimate carefully\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🐠 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful — extremely shy and reef-safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e⚙️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdvanced — requires deep fine sandbed and patient feeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🍽️ \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCarnivore — live brine, live mysis, frozen mysis, fine zooplankton\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🏠 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eTank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e75 gallon minimum — large open sandbed footprint essential\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e📏 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eMax Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e~16\" — slender body, vertical posture\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003ctd style=\"background:#eceff1; border:1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius:10px; padding:11px 13px; color:#22323a; vertical-align:top;\"\u003e🌊 \u003cstrong style=\"color:#435760;\"\u003eWater Flow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLow to Moderate — gentle, indirect flow preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n  \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#6a6b58;\"\u003eSpecial Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#faf8ee; border:1px solid #e6e1c9; border-left:4px solid #b7ad78; border-radius:10px; padding:13px 15px; color:#22323a;\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003eSplendid Garden Eels require a deep fine sandbed of at least 4–6 inches and a tightly covered tank, as they are accomplished burrowers and surprisingly capable jumpers when stressed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine sugar-grain or oolitic sand is strongly preferred over coarse substrates, which can damage delicate skin during burrowing. Avoid housing with aggressive, fast-moving, or large fish — Garden Eels are extremely shy and will refuse to emerge from the sandbed in the presence of intimidating tankmates, which can lead to starvation. Begin feeding with live brine shrimp or live mysis to encourage emergence and confidence, then gradually transition to frozen mysis and fine zooplankton over several weeks. Some specimens train onto frozen foods readily, others require live food long-term. Drip acclimate slowly and avoid copper-based medications.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#123844;\"\u003e🔍 Aquarium Insights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Splendid Garden Eel is one of the most distinctive sandbed-dwelling fish in the saltwater hobby:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLives partially buried in fine sand, emerging vertically to feed on zooplankton drifting in the current\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBest displayed in groups of three or more in larger systems to replicate natural colony behavior\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVivid yellow-and-white banding combined with upright swaying motion creates a living, moving sandbed feature unlike anything else in the hobby\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#123844;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eFor detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/pages\/species-library\" style=\"color:#1d5c78;\"\u003eSpecies Library\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"margin:24px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f6f8f9; border:1px solid #dde4e7; border-left:4px solid #8a98a0; border-radius:10px; padding:13px 15px; font-size:13px; color:#607078; line-height:1.65;\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong style=\"color:#46545b;\"\u003eLivestock Disclaimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:8px 0 10px;\"\u003eDue to natural variation, the specimen you receive will be selected based on current availability and may vary slightly in coloration, banding pattern, and size within the stated 7–12\" range. Yellow saturation and banding contrast may shift between individuals and under different lighting conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003ePhotographs are representative examples. Coloration may differ slightly between individuals depending on origin and environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eAs with all live animals, proper acclimation and a suitable, established environment are essential for best results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Macroalgae Farms","offers":[{"title":"Garden Eel (7–12\")","offer_id":48367505473795,"sku":"F","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/7151\/7699\/files\/ChatGPTImageMay2_2026_11_27_25PM.png?v=1777789921","url":"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/products\/splendid-garden-eel-7-12","provider":"Macroalgae Farms","version":"1.0","type":"link"}