Ribbon eels! :)

[tyler1503]

I know, I know, they're known as one of those "impossible" fish only one in a million people have success with!
When I was working at an LFS I lived near at one stage, we had a black one in a display who would let us hand feed him regularly. An awesome animal that I would love to keep at home. But with all the story's of them not feeding, or just ending up dead after seemingly healthy the day before, it got me thinking.
It wasn't too long ago fish like mandarins and octopus along with a lot of commonly kept corals were considered "impossible" specimens to keep, but we've jumped along in leaps and bounds and can keep just about anything found in the hobby at the moment alive and well.
So what I'm getting at is has there been any improvement in the captive lifespan of these amazing creatures?

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Squishie89]

As far as I know, no there has not really been any real increase in keeping these guys alive. I know someone local to me decided to try it and the eel REFUSED to eat, and this guy gave this eel everything you can think of to eat. I am not saying it is impossible, but just very unlikely keeping these fish long term.

 

[tyler1503]

Thanks for the bump
Yea I read on one forum a while ago (I forget which one now, but I'm sure it's just a google search away) that one guy could not get his to eat no matter what he tried. Then he had the idea of taking the eel out of QT and putting it in his display and used one of those reaching tools that you see trash collectors using as a pretend eel and made it pretend to eat the food. The ribbon eel then began eating. The theory is the ribbon eel had a survival instinct triggered by this pretend eel stealing all his food. It a pretty interesting theory, but I don't think it's a solid one that would apply to all fish who refuse to eat.
It sucks that such an awesome animal can't be kept in captivity reliably.