Ribbon eel

"I caught a ribbon eel! Good for tying on to presents!" —New Leaf

"I caught a ribbon eel! Can it tie itself into a bow?" —New Horizons

Ribbon eel
Image gallery
Real-world info
Name: Rhinomuraena quaesita (ribbon eel) Family: Muraenidae (morays)
Main appearances
DnM DnM+ AC DnMe+ iQue WW CF NL NH
Other appearances
Film HHD aF PC
Names in other languages  Unknown  Unknown  Murène ruban bleue  Anguila listón azul  Unknown  Unknown  Unknown  Unknown  Murène ruban bleue  Anguila listón azul  Nasenmuräne  Unknown

The Ribbon Eel (ハナヒゲウツボ, Hanahigeutsubo) is a fish that can be found exclusively in the ocean surrounding Tortimer Island in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Having a thin shadow size, the Ribbon Eel is able to be caught all year round at any time of the day. It can be sold for 600 Bells.

Catch details

In New Horizons

#65

"I caught a ribbon eel! Can it tie itself into a bow?"

Time of year	North: Jun – Oct South: Dec – Apr
Time of day	All day
Location	Sea
Shadow size	Long
Spawn requirement	Unknown
Selling prices	Nook's Cranny:  600 Bells  C.J.:  900 Bells
Furniture size

Donating to the Museum

Donating in New Leaf

After donating a ribbon eel to Blathers, it will appear in the section for fish and deep sea creatures, specifically in the top-right most tank in the north-western room.

The exhibit has this to say about the Ribbon Eel:

"Ribbon eels have long, ribbonlike bodies and look as if they have flowers sprouting from their noses. They get their name from their bright, vivid color, in addition to the length of their skinny bodies. Ribbon eels hatch sexless before first becoming males, then females as they age. Their tendency to stick their heads out from holes in the sand and open their mouths is not a sign of anger. In actuality, they're merely taking a breath. Oddly, they're surprisingly peaceful creatures, despite the look."

Donating in New Horizons

Blathers will say the following once you give the ribbon eel to him:

"The ribbon eel is related to the moray eel, though its bright coloration distinguishes it. It also has an unusual plant-like appendage at the tip of its nose that flutters as the creature moves. I like to think of it as having an extremely friendly nose that waves a greeting to those nearby!"

The ribbon eel can be found in the coral reef tank.

In the Fishing Tourney

When given a Ribbon eel in the fishing tourney, Chip will say:

"I hear ribbon eel makes for some really great tempura! Ever try that? I mean, I'm just gonna eat this guy as is. Patience? What's that? YUM!"

Further information

The ribbon eel, also known as a Bernis eel, has a life-span of up to twenty years, although they almost always die within a month of captivity. Ribbon eels often are within rocks or other enclosing structures and breathe with their mouths open, often giving off an angry or aggressive appearance.

Names in other languages

	ハナヒゲウツボ hanahigeutsubō	"Flower-bearded moray"
	리본장어 ribonjang-eo	Ribbon eel
	五彩鳗 wǔcǎimàn	Rainbow eel
	五彩鰻 Unknown
	Носатая мурена Nosataya murena	Big-nosed moray
	Lintmurene	Ribbon eel
	Nasenmuräne	"Nose moray eel"
	Anguila listón azul	"Blue ribbon eel"
	Murène ruban bleue	"Blue ribbon eel"
	Murena a nastro	"Nose moray"