Hawaiian vs Japanese Dragon Eel

[Earl Karl]

What's the difference between Hawaiian Dragon Eels and Japanese Dragon Eels? I know that they are the same species and have different color morphs depending which region they come from, but I don't know which coloration one possess. I heard that the Japanese has more vibrant colors and vice versa.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

The Japanese has the orange coloration along its whole body while the orange on the Hawaiian stops just after the head.

Japanese, sorry about pic quality

Hawaiian, notice the body turns grey past the head

 

[Earl Karl]

Which one do you like better? I'm looking to buy one for a good price.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Japanese has better color imo. No difference in behavior.

 

[Earl Karl]

Ok, what's a good price for them nowadays? I'm tryna buy one that's around $700, $800 at the most. My Hawaiian was $900 when he was 31" as a local pickup. I'm looking for a relatively small one so I have time to upgrade from my 125. I'm on campus so my tank is at my uncles. My 240 gallon already has a tessalata.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

$12oo seems to be the base price at online shops nowadays. Best bet to find one in that price range is to find a hobbyist looking to sell. Think I sold my Hawaiian for 500 a couple years back.

 

[Earl Karl]

$500?! You got another one lol?

Hopefully I can find a seller on R2R, but that does not seem likely.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Threw in a large Mystery Wrasse with it for free too. I took a bit of a loss on the deal. We were moving and I didn't want to deal with moving a large moray and temporarily housing it while new tank was being built.

 

[Earl Karl]

Better than giving away a Kiri Trigger for free :'( I had to move to college lol and no one would buy it. Tried to sell it for 450 which was a bargain.

 

[mcpeachy]

Better than giving away a Kiri Trigger for free :'( I had to move to college lol and no one would buy it. Tried to sell it for 450 which was a bargain.

WOAH. you gave away a kiri for free? how did i not know you then?? lol. i just bought one. why would no one want it?? did it have a good temperament?

 

[Earl Karl]

I was going to college and I couldnt find a buyer. I even lowered it to 300 bucks lol and no fish stores were willing to take it due to how big it was (it was 14"). But I just gave it away since I had to leave. Biggest regret ever. It was in my acro tank. It destroyed inverts besides my conch, horseshoe crab, linkia and fromia stars, and my cleaner shrimps. Usually kiris are safe with inverts tho. Very docile with everything else however.

It wasn't a big deal tho since my dad caught it lol.

 

[kodama16]

Threw in a large Mystery Wrasse with it for free too. I took a bit of a loss on the deal. We were moving and I didn't want to deal with moving a large moray and temporarily housing it while new tank was being built.

I remember that J. You have that away.

Japanese have best color.

 

[kodama16]

Also if you ask you local shop to special order one left then know your price is $900 and they can easy do that and make a lot off it. Only way they won’t is if they just don’t want to. I can buy them whole sale for 500. Some suppliers are 750. So still room for you LFS to make money on a per sold item. No way they won’t.

 

[Earl Karl]

@kodama16 are u talking about about my kiri? LFS wouldnt take because it was too big and didnt have room for it.

 

[kodama16]

@kodama16 are u talking about about my kiri? LFS wouldnt take because it was too big and didnt have room for it.

Sorry earl, I was talking about “BOB L” Japanese dragon eel and wrasse. I’m local with him.

 

[Earl Karl]

Ah ok sorry. Dragon eel at 500 is really good price, even for wholesale. I usually see them in the 800 range at wholesale.

 

[kodama16]

Ah ok sorry. Dragon eel at 500 is really good price, even for wholesale. I usually see them in the 800 range at wholesale.

Yea I see they been dropping a lot. Got mine from SDC for $500.

 

[Earl Karl]

I can get mine around that range too but right now I'm more interested in like high end triggers, wrasses, angels, and such. But after me getting that dragon eel, I'm back on that eel train. Named him Earl. I can no longer have a tank without an eel lol.

 

[Thomashtom]

Here is my Hawaiian!! Getting darker colors as he gets bigger. Would love to get a Kiri!!!

 

[McPuff]

How are those Dragon eels with other fish? Will they eventually eat everything else like a Fimbriated? Or are they more even-tempered? Have always really like them and someday will probably think about maybe planning to consider possibly getting one. :0)