ribbon eel :)

[tgp4274]

was looking at a black/gold ribbon eel today
are these reef safe???
n if are would i need a lid??
i have a canopy
thanks

 

[Mark Gray]

I had a blue one, yes you will for sure need a lid, my son feed my blue ribbon eel and left the top sort of cocked and found him on the floor. I would say yes sore to reef safe, they kind of make a mess and might eat smaller fish but they won't hurt coral as long as it's glued down well

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I think the issue is more about fish compatibility than being reef safe. With most eels, I just try to be sure 1) the tank is securely covered (notice I said "securely" bc these guys will get out otherwise) and 2) make sure you don't have fish they'll think will be a good snack (usually avoidable by keeping them well-fed). I'll tag @Bob Loblaw and @tyler1503 to see if they have additional thoughts.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Provided the proper setup they shouldn't try to escape. Mine had pvc system they never left unless it was to go to another opening. I had a canopy with knitting mesh securing the back opening as a failsafe though. Biggest issue is getting them eating. Being able to completely hide their entire body is paramount to get them to eat. I used live gobies secured on a fishing string to get them eating. Once eating live, I rubbed the gobies down with salmon and eventually replaced the gobies with salmon strips. Once readily accepting salmon I mixed other frozen into the diet. I suppose they may go after small cigar shaped fish if not well fed. I spot fed mine frequently and never had any issues. Inverts will be ignored.

PVC setup for my Dragon but Ribbon setup was similar with smaller diameter pipe

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Provided the proper setup they shouldn't try to escape. Mine had pvc system they never left unless it was to go to another opening. I had a canopy with knitting mesh securing the back opening as a failsafe though. Biggest issue is getting them eating. Being able to completely hide their entire body is paramount to get them to eat. I used live gobies secured on a fishing string to get them eating. Once eating live, I rubbed the gobies down with salmon and eventually replaced the gobies with salmon strips. Once readily accepting salmon I mixed other frozen into the diet. I suppose they may go after small cigar shaped fish if not well fed. I spot fed mine frequently and never had any issues. Inverts will be ignored.

PVC setup for my Dragon but Ribbon setup was similar with smaller diameter pipe

Thanks @Bob Loblaw! Good tips for sure!

 

[shred5]

They will get out with out a cover and are reef safe but they will eat fish and shrimp.. I had one in my reef and he would eat anything he could catch. He ate my clown and he ate a royal gramma before I could get him out.

 

[DocTock993]

FYI: The black and gold are juveniles. They color shift to the blue/yellow or yellow/blue (color is sex determined + they are hermaphroditic and can and will change sex) occurs at adulthood.
They end up being quite large as adults - I'm always amazed at how long they are when seen free swimming.