new to the hobby, wondering about snowflake eels

[mjmuskin]

Hi, I just recently acquired a 120 gallon tank. Along with it I also got a blue tang, sail fin tang, flame fin tang, 2 yellow tangs, 2 yellow tail damsels, and I think a four stripe damsel. One thing I've always wanted was an eel. I have been doing some research online and it looks like a snowflake eel would be a good choice to start with. I was just wondering how it would be towards the fish? Particularly the yellow tail damsels, as they are pretty small? Thanks ahead for any insight

 

[S2G]

I find snowflakes to be more opportunistic than a chainlink, skeletor, & other pebble toothed eels. Personally I think they be toast with a bigger snowflake.

All those tangs & a growing eel will be an absolute nutrient control nightmare in a 120.

 

[Reefer40b]

It will vary... depends on the eel some are more aggressive. Mine doesn't touch the fish even smaller ones. If they are out swimming it usually means its hungry so feed well.

 

[William Robinson]

I kept a yellow head moray for a long time before it finally out grew my tank at almost 3ft (honestly about 2' 6", it's a fish story right? lol). It was highly aggressive toward offered food but not my other fish. (Foxface, sailfin tang and yellow tang) That said, if you start with a small one and feed it regularly with grabbers it will become accustomed to not seeking out live food. Also, hope you have a good tight fitting tank cover. They are adventurous and if it's small and all of a sudden one morning you don't see it, them check your overflow and then your sump... The love the vents in overflows...

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Ime snowflakes are the best eels to keep with fish. That being I have seen them kill small fish and injure large fish while in a feeding frenzy. So my recommendation is to keep one but be very careful with feedings and not be heartbroken if you lose a damsel here and there. Also, make sure you don't overload that 120 with too many fish.

 

[mjmuskin]

thanks everyone. I would like to start with a small one and watch it grow. but if i decided to not go with an eel, what do you guys think would be a good addition to the fish i have already?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I hate to be "that guy" but I'd personally, defintaly get rid of all of the tangs except two of them. Then get the eel (snowflakes are awesome) and a couple of other fish.

I like having different fish that do different things. The tangs will swim around in the middle of your tank, maybe grab a blenny that'll hang out on the rocks, and a chromis for the upper part.

 

[S2G]

Definitely don't get the sailfin. If you don't have the eel grab a smaller puffer. Little valentini.

 

[rfgonzo]

I would be more concerned with 5 tangs in a 120. Damsels are quick fish and cheap so I wouldn't be concerned about them.