eels eels and more eels! experiences?

happytobehere · Sep 19, 2013

Im getting closer and closer to having my 120 cube set up. Finishing the stand next week!!

So. I really want an eel. I know the zebra is my best bet but they get soooo big... I dont want a garden eel either. My only concern is the eel eating fish. Im looking at snowflake. Fimbriated Moray (Gymnothorax fimbriatus).Golden Dwarf Moray Eel. (Gymnothorax melatremus)?. Chainlink Eel

Stories? Suggestions? Other eel choices? Thanks!

frankdontsurf · Sep 19, 2013

If hes not alone you will need to feed him with a stick, don't drop anything in the tank you're not willing to leave there. Small eels are cool for the wow factor from random non-fish keepers..otherwise they are pretty boring.. The higher you place your rock the more likely you'll see him creep around mid tank. Get some decent moon lights and a couple of T5's and be done with it..

[url]http://coralreeffarm.com/store.php?product=tessalata_eel

T[/URL]hat's would I would (will) get if (when) I set up a predator tank. Along with a large grouper and a large lion.

The first big tank I saw in someones home had these three guys in a 190g with 200lbs of rocks.

c.declivisowner · Sep 19, 2013

Hi,

I have a Barred Moray Eel in my 120 gallon SPS tank. It's housed with lots of things it could easily eat like yellow multi-banded Pipefish, A small less than 2 inch Venustus Angelfish, Mandarin, Neon Goby, A Picasso Clown that's around an inch long as well as a Cleaner Shrimp and a Coral banded Shrimp. I've had great luck with this Eel. It actually get's bullied by other fish in the tank that it could easily take down. Sometimes when it has it's head poking out of the rocks my Chevron Tang will go posture up in it's face. Sometimes even my Declivis and Marcellae Butterfly will "posture" in it's face. Luckily it always just kinda moves away when they do that. I've had it for about 4 years and I think I just got very lucky picking the Eel I picked.

The scientific name is Echidna polyzona if you are interested in looking it up.

pam0630 · Sep 19, 2013

Snowflakes are nice, but they will dig right up under your rocks...had mine for couple weeks and took back to lfs

FishLipz · Sep 19, 2013

I had a golden dwarf that was a model citizen. Even with small fish and shrimp. He did really well for over a year and out of the blue he stopped eating completely. He never did recover unfortunately.

happytobehere · Sep 20, 2013

has anyone had horror stories with a zebra eel? I just feel like it gets sooooo big that a 120 really isnt big enough even though i know people do... Experiences? Stories?

mi_chael3 · Sep 20, 2013

I had a big fimbriated moray in a 350 fish only for quite a while. He was awesome and didn't really bother anybody even though he could have easily eaten my chromis and clowns.

Johmanda · Sep 20, 2013

I was gifted a 240g with 2 - 20 year old eels, a Snowflake and a Zebra. The fish that came with the tank are all bigger except the tomato clown but the eels don't bother any of them. They had only been fed silversides but now I am giving them a varied diet. I can hand-feed them the silversides though. I plan to add some nems and additional fish eventually.

brchapm · Sep 20, 2013

Had a golden dwarf moray in a mixed reef tank. One of my favorite critters and would grab one again in a heartbeat. No issues other than him/her escaping to my sump 2 or 3 times.

Kworker · Sep 20, 2013

I think it comes down to if you are willing to risk things going bad, or possibly getting unlucky with the individuals personality.

I always wanted to see a beautiful Sps garden with just a eel(s) in it. But either way I think eels and damsels would be cool if you want small fish. Damsels are quick and mean so will probably do good with an eel unless the eel gets persistant and eating them. Which honestly I think if you are going to risk fish to becoming food, what a better excuse than to go with than cheap colorful damsels.

happytobehere · Sep 20, 2013

I think it'll come down to getting the eel as small as i can and just see how he does. If he eats my fish... then I'll try to get him out OR have a damsel cheap fish tank and go coral crazy. Which honestly i want a coral dominated tank, just my 60 that im transferring into my 120 gallon when its up and ready in a week or two is only 8 months old. Since i dont have a ton of coral i have a ton of fish instead to add the color. But eventually i just wanted a lot of really nice coral and like 2 or 3 fish!

But please keep the tips and stories coming! Anything i can get can prepare me for the worse or hopefully the best!

Kworker · Sep 20, 2013

Oh yeah, Just keep in mind they are pretty messy too. So it consumes much of your bioload

happytobehere · Sep 20, 2013

Yeah I've heard that... If my eel doesnt eat my fish I think in the end it'll be a snowflake... although im leaning towards the zebra eel because i've heard so many good things about them and ive heard some stories of snowflakes eating fish... Has anyone had a zebra eel eat a fish or a snowflake?

Kworker · Sep 20, 2013

happytobehere said:
Yeah I've heard that... If my eel doesnt eat my fish I think in the end it'll be a snowflake... although im leaning towards the zebra eel because i've heard so many good things about them and ive heard some stories of snowflakes eating fish... Has anyone had a zebra eel eat a fish or a snowflake?

I think the issue with assuming zebras would be better (even though they may be) I think snowflakes are a lot more common to see in the lfs so people go with that. Even though I heard similar claims.