Eel won’t eat

noahage

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So I got a snowflake eel a week ago and the shop said he was eating there but he hasn't ate since I got him. He comes up and smells the krill and then goes back into his rock and when my lights turn off at 11pm he goes crazy and zips all over the the tank but doesn’t eat the krill I sometimes leave under a rock in the tank any help?
 
Try fresh clams. That usually gets them going
 
Try silversides too. Sometimes they go on strike from eating, especially new additions. I had one not eat for almost 2 weeks but, it's normal for them to be like that.
 
Mine did the same thing. He eventually took krill and then I switched him to oysters and squid. I cut way back in the krill. Mine acts like he is hungry every time he hears the lid open and pops up from the rocks.
 
Eels will stop eating when introduced to new tank. I would not worry, just keep offering food. He will eat eventually.
 
Try feeding a very small goldfish, clam, or any kind of small crustacean.
 
I probably can get different foods but the shop gave me what they have been feeding him and that is why I’m confused he is not eating
 
Plus one on the squid and time.
 
Lots of fish, including eels don't always eat after getting moved to a new environment. Give it some time and don't worry, as long as your eel is healthy, it won't let itself starve to death. It can especially take time if you're trying to tong feed if it wasn't already fed that way.

That being said, try using a garlic additive, it can help with a feeding response. Some say it can also help with internal parasites long term, but some also say long term it can harm your fish as well.

Also try switching up the food, shrimp, clam, scallop, squid, krill, crab if you feel fancy. It may be a preference thing, took mine ages before it would eat anything but shrimp.

Worst case, source some live food like ghost shrimp, any kind of marine shrimp, sexy, Peppermint or what have you would also work, but run the risk of teaching it CuC are edible and transmission of parasites if not properly quarantined. I believe an eel swimming around at night means it is actively hunting and searching for food, so give it some time and you should be alright. :)
 
Alright I might try ghost shrimp just to get him back on a eating schedule and to reset him if that makes sense.
 
I've never seen one decline clam. I'd avoid food items that resemble fish for obvious reasons (they're bad enough about snagging whatever is in front of them once they start eating).
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

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  • No.

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