In the approximately 40 aquariums that I've toured in North America I've been used to seeing eels of all shapes and sizes peering out from rocky crevices. This exhibit seems baffling as obviously there is zero attempt at a naturalistic environment. Do the eels have anywhere to hide? Are all of the pipes transparent?
Yes indeed, nowhere to hide and all the pipes are transparent! I'm undecided if this abstract presentation is artful or amateur, but it certainly reveals the full shape of the eels!
I wonder whether eels need to "hide" as we understand it. We think in terms of not being seen by others. But perhaps for an eel it is tactile and squeezing into a close fitting tube/cave meets their security needs.
We need to keep open minds when we consider what animals actually need and not assume that their experience is just like ours.
@Zooplantman, I think the concern is more one of aesthetics and expecting moray eels to hide among Rocky outcrops and anemone and coral reefs.
While okay for a BTS tank, on show I personally think it misses a few points. They have 4 moray eels - a nice group - and in the background it seems there should be a small share species too.
