Help choosing Reef friendly Eel

[techhnyne]

Hey guys
I really want an eel that is reef safe that wont eat my clownfish and other smaller fish in the tank.
One i can train and hand feed, I know that comes from juvi stage but its not always easy finding a juvi Eel so what do you guys think I should look for when eel shopping?

preferably a Eel thats out alot during the day too

Thanks

 

[Legal Reefer]

I had a small snowflake eel in my first reef tank 20 years ago. I would look for the smallest available. I never had a problem with mine, but I stick fed him small feeder fish before feeding the rest of the tank. Always a chance they may bite a fish when they smell food in the water, that's why I always fed him first. He would swim out grab his fish off the feeding stick then swim back to his cave and look out. From what i understand they like to eat crabs. Maybe if you keep him well fed you wont have a problem.

 

[techhnyne]

I had a small snowflake eel in my first reef tank 20 years ago. I would look for the smallest available. I never had a problem with mine, but I stick fed him small feeder fish before feeding the rest of the tank. Always a chance they may bite a fish when they smell food in the water, that's why I always fed him first. He would swim out grab his fish off the feeding stick then swim back to his cave and look out. From what i understand they like to eat crabs. Maybe if you keep him well fed you wont have a problem.

I used to have a snowflake he was cool and friendly i actually had him swim to my hand and he would slowly take the fish from my finger tips I loved him so much, this was 15 years ago and he was in an aggressive tank. I wanted to try a new species but I wont cross a snowflake off my list yet
My thought now are either snowflake or zebra or ribbon.
I am sure there are dozens other eels out there i have no idea about lol

anyone else have any suggestion?

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Depending on the size of the tank a zebra eel is a good choice. I had a friend that had one in her 125 that did well for 2 years. It never bothered any fish and ate from a feeding stick. It got pretty large though.

 

[sundog101]

I’d look at a dwarf golden moray. They’re a little pricey (depending on what you call pricey), but man they are cool!

 

[BradB]

Zebra eels won't eat your fish. But a reef ready tank might not be eel friendly.

 

[DSC reef]

I’d look at a dwarf golden moray. They’re a little pricey (depending on what you call pricey), but man they are cool!

Not sure you can get these anymore. I believe there from Hawaii. Could be wrong though.

 

[techhnyne]

I have a 125 with a coast 2 coast bean animal overflow. Pretty safe for any type of fish. Just need to put my glass tops on since my snowflake once got out of my tank. I found hin 4 days later on my floor across the room. He was still alive!! I put him back in and he was fine

 

[dcraigj]

I currently have a zebra eel in my 120. He has been a model citizen. At times he can be seen going from one side of the tank to the other.

 

[sundog101]

Not sure you can get these anymore. I believe there from Hawaii. Could be wrong though.

They are from Hawaii. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought they were able stop the collection ban. At least I hope so.

 

[Katrina71]

This is my son's "eel". Shhh he doesn't know he's a Pike Blenny.

 

[DSC reef]

They are from Hawaii. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought they were able stop the collection ban. At least I hope so.

From what I read the other day it actually went into effect. We were looking at a potter's angel too, pretty bummed.

 

[DSC reef]

I currently have a zebra eel in my 120. He has been a model citizen. At times he can be seen going from one side of the tank to the other.

That's a sweet eel! Looks great in a reef tank.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I have a golden dwarf moray. Awesome little eels, completely passive. I keep small tanks, so the dwarf is the only eel I can keep. He's in a 10g with a six line wrasse right now until my new tank cycles. The six line would easily be dinner for the eel, but he ignores him. The six line can swim right by his head and he doesn't even pay him attention. The only thing I've found that they will eat is squid, specifically, calamari. I cut up the tentacles into 2 or 3 arms and feed one piece every 2 to 3 days. You can tell when they are hungry, they know where food comes from and will act more excited when you come to the tank than when they aren't hungry.

 

[Katrina71]

@Robin Haselden post a pic of Maui.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

 

[DSC reef]

Very nice robin! That's always been my favorite eel. You should see what happens when calamari gets put in front of me! Lol.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Very nice robin! That's always been my favorite eel. You should see what happens when calamari gets put in front of me! Lol.

Oh he doesn't eat the tubes, just the tentacles... so I get to fry up the tubes and eat them. I need to do that soon, found a recipe for buffalo fried calamari. Mmmm

 

[DSC reef]

Buffalo fried calamari, your onto something there.

 

[lion king]

Any of your eel interest would be a good choice. Things to consider, the zebra gets huge; I've found the snowflake and zebra to have similar dispositions. Both will mostly hang in their cave and be active when they are hungry, they usually are observant and at least poking their heads out and about. That's the way most eels are, if you want to keep your smaller fish you should keep them on a very regular feeding schedule and keep them well fed.

I have a black ribbon eel in observation, and 1st off they are very challenging. I will say it is a fantastic display when he is swimming around, twisting and fluttering under the leds. They do seem to be out and about more than many of the other eels. I've only known one person that has been successful in keeping one. If you decide on a ribbon eel and have trouble feeding, i do have some tips that may work.