Getting an eel

[Steven91]

Hey everyone,

debating on getting a snowflake moray eel (did read the wonder sticky about eels), and my lfs has a few, though they are smaller right now (probably 6-8" long). I was thinking, if i get one, feeding it once daily until it put on some size and then going every other/3rd day between feeding. With it being so small what should i feed it, and could it live comfortably in a 120?

 

[Cole.mormon]

Minimum tank size for snowflake eels are 55 gallons. Is it reef safe. No. It has to be by itself. 120 should be fine

 

[WVNed]

I have 2 in a 75. I have never had one that small but mine eat frozen shrimp, squid and chunks in LRS.

 

[Cole.mormon]

Reef safe w caution I mean

 

[Steven91]

Reef safe w caution I mean

dont really have any small fish, no crabs, though do have a cleaner shrimp (fairly large) and snails plus a few urchins that wears hats

 

[Cole.mormon]

Should be ok then

 

[Cole.mormon]

They are a pebble tooth eel not a fanged eel should be fine even with snails

 

[Steven91]

They are a pebble tooth eel not a fanged eel should be fine even with snails

cool, wouldnt be super worried if i lost snails i think i have them spawning, as i keep seeing more and i havent gotten any in quite some time

 

[Cole.mormon]

Yeah l. But remember every fish has its own personality

 

[sp1187]

kept 2 10" snowflakes and a 10" white mouth and a 6"lion in a 30g.
fed weekly live gold fish.
pre-internet before this vast wealth of free info was so available.

 

[WVNed]

I have 2 lions in the tank with the eels. They get live shrimp and guppies. The eels do not look at the live food.

 

[lion king]

A snowflake is a good community eel and a 120g is more than enough tank. As far as feeding goes, a smaller eel will require more frequent feedings but you'll have to be the judge how frequent. They naturally grow pretty fast so you'll know if you are feeding enough, you can almost watch them grow. Literally in not much more than several months he can be full grown. Be aware than one of the most common causes of death in eels in captivity is overfeeding, usually in the form of too frequent feeding. Eventually even getting his feeding to once a week would be good. If he is super small initially you could try some PE mysis in a baster and you would trim his fresh seafood to size. Sizing food that allows them to take down easily will also keep your tank cleaner. Fresh seafood or small batches you freeze yourself will be best for long term health. Some foods include shrimp with shells, maybe not so much when really small but will need the shells when larger, trim any sharp edges and trim to easily swallowed size. Squid, octopus, clams, scallop; I know fish is not in their natural diet but if you grill fresh salmon for yourself, give him a couple a chunks if he'll take, it is perhaps one of the most nutritious foods you could feed.

 

[TomatoClownfish]

You should get an Engineer Goby. They look and act like Eels, but they will not prevent you from getting any small fish in the future. Also, they will sift through sand, keeping it nice and clean.

 

[Jeffcb]

If you want an Eel. Get an Eel.

 

[WirelessMike]

If you want an Eel. Get an Eel.

Quote of the day!

 

[TomatoClownfish]

If you want an Eel. Get an Eel.

Ah yes, the floor is made out of floor

 

[lefkonj]

should be fine. Take the advice given on these forums to heart... Cover, watch the overflows and such. Also I prefer eels on the smaller side. You can easily get them to eat chunks of frozen food and learn that you are not a target. However it is a nasty bite so be careful

 

[Rmckoy]

They are amazing . Fed mine frozen seafood
It will be full grown before you know it .
they are blind and might need to be fed with tongs .
their bite hurts ... a lot

he was biting the heads off of all my small fish ( juv yellow belly tangs )

 

[Steven91]

i keep debating between an eel and watanabei angelfish

 

[Tired]

If you had an eel biting the heads off of fish, that wasn't a snowflake eel. Snowflake eels have small, rounded teeth, and generally don't go after other fish. They certainly can't bite heads off.