Eels in a reef aquarium...we need to talk this through!

[PhreeByrd]

Eels are awesome, and I love spotting them during dives, but I'd never keep one in an aquarium. Even with the smaller species, keeping an eel in anything but a ginormous aquarium is, IMO, cruel and inhumane. It would be like keeping a Malamute or Husky in a city apartment. Eels are generally much better left to the wild.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Looks like it made prime time. I was mistaken it was Thailand. This is not the original video I saw though and what they’re not telling you is that he was feeding them hotdogs which looks just like ??? One thing that is rarely discussed is how destructive it is to feed aquatic life.

Yikes!

 

[Jason Coy]

Eels are awesome, and I love spotting them during dives, but I'd never keep one in an aquarium. Even with the smaller species, keeping an eel in anything but a ginormous aquarium is, IMO, cruel and inhumane. It would be like keeping a Malamute or Husky in a city apartment. Eels are generally much better left to the wild.

I somewhat disagree with that statement. I don't dive, although I want to learn, so I can't say how much space they occupy and am curious as to why you think it's cruel and inhumane. I don't see a reason why smaller species can't be kept. From my understanding most if not all tangs occupy a large territory yet we keep them in tiny boxes compared to what they have in the wild. Like I said I'm curious to hear your viewpoint and maybe learn something in the process.

 

[CMO]

I somewhat disagree with that statement. I don't dive, although I want to learn, so I can't say how much space they occupy and am curious as to why you think it's cruel and inhumane. I don't see a reason why smaller species can't be kept. From my understanding most if not all tangs occupy a large territory yet we keep them in tiny boxes compared to what they have in the wild. Like I said I'm curious to hear your viewpoint and maybe learn something in the process.

I'm curious as well as my eel literally just sits in his tunnel all day and seems perfectly happy. Or maybe he's not? From my understanding an unhappy eel is one that is constantly swimming around, trying to escape etc which I have not seen at all except when he changes resting spots or is searching for food when I feed the fish.

 

[lion king]

Eels are awesome, and I love spotting them during dives, but I'd never keep one in an aquarium. Even with the smaller species, keeping an eel in anything but a ginormous aquarium is, IMO, cruel and inhumane. It would be like keeping a Malamute or Husky in a city apartment. Eels are generally much better left to the wild.

Other than the ridiculous of keeping a green moray, I've found eels to be some the happiest and best kept aquarium additions. Providing of course you research the species and provide the proper home. most people think a 180g is large and keep many fish that really are better kept in the ocean, most every eel available would be very happy in a 180g. The tessa is a very special subject and is best left to the very experienced, but even them in the proper environment can thrive.

 

[DarthSimon]

Golden Dwarf can do just fine in a smaller tank if you have some rock work for it to feel comfortable .

 

[Dsnakes]

Hey, Nolan
Followed your lead on an Hawaiian Golden Dwarf and love that guy.
He's really content with his head hanging out all the time and loves frozen squid.

I know that I should have a screen top, but he's never really thought about making a escape...

That’s great! I don’t have a screen either, just the canopy which does have a couple escape points. With adequate rock work and space, I don’t think escape it on his mind.

 

[lion king]

I see alot of people liked my ribbon eel in a reef, I guess i should add some more of the info requested in this thread. They are very difficult to keep, mainly because of feeding requirements. I do have him eating dead food but he also does eat live food, mainly guppies and mollies. So any small fish and likely inverts would be on the menu for this guy. I was only thinking in regards of the damage some eels do to corals by just being rambunctious.

 

[lion king]

An example of an eel that should have been left in the ocean, wt!!!
https://m.liveaquaria.com/divers-den/product/459994/yellowmouth-moray-eel

 

[High ICP]

Man I love how eels look, swim etc. but I love the coral and my reef tank more. ut do we have to have one without the other?

How many of you have succeeded in keeping eels (what kind) in a reef tank and what are the challenges you have faced?

image via @FeliciaLynn

I have done snowflake eels

Unsuccessful in keeping them IN the tank

 

[Dsnakes]

An example of an eel that should have been left in the ocean, wt!!!
https://m.liveaquaria.com/divers-den/product/459994/yellowmouth-moray-eel

Do you think it would bother my Sohal Tang in my 75g tank? ;Troll

That thing will be huge! ;Woot

 

[TRIGGER SHARKFIST]

Love Eels and have tried to keep them with varied success.

I've had 3 Snowflake Eels all 3 escaped at some point.
One died on the carpet.
One died of a tumour in its month after about 2 years of owning.
One just died mysteriously overnight after about 3 years of owning.

Don't underestimate them they can escape through the most stupid of places.
Also they can eat bigger livestock than you think their mouth will take. No Shrimps, crabs or even snails are safe.
Even the Snowflake can get big .. Mine grew to about 2 foot in the short life they had.

They are amazing tho.

I WANT ANOTHER ONE !!! ...

 

[TRIGGER SHARKFIST]

I've also dived with all sorts of morays and it always surprises me how friendly they are.

Even the massive brown Moray I dive with in the Maldives allow you to get close.
You can even get close enough to see the little cleaner shrimps that live in it's mouth !!!

I once got bit by a baby moray holding onto a rock whilst busy watching Manta Rays ... Teach me not to touch his world !!!