snowflake eel head shaking twitching

[kim75062]

I have a new snowflake eel 8-10"s that is twitching strangely since I got him.

He doesn't do it all the time but often enough to be concerning. He might do it 10 times in a few minutes or not at all for a few hours (that I see anyway).

Background info

Bought from saltwaterfish shipped on 3/29 and arrived on 3/30 early AM.

Drip acclimated for about 2 hours.

Also want to add he has not ate that I know of yet. I have tried silversides, krill, table shrimp, tilapia and cod. To make sure food was available to him if he wanted it I added 6 guy loaded ghost shrimp and 15 tiny reef hermits. As of right now all 6 shrimp are still there and I can count 13 hermits but that doesn't mean 2 are not just out of sight.

In a 55 gallon tank with glass lid, 2 penguin 400 HOB filters and 4 small also new damsels.

Water test
Salt 1.024
Ph 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 5-10

Also checked for stray voltage and none. And copper just to be safe and 0 also.

the video can be seen here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/542...tif_t=group_comment&notif_id=1491259342029648

 

[Webslinger]

I believe that's how they smell the water to help find where food is. they all do it

 

[kim75062]

this is stranger then that. I posted the video in a saltwater group on Facebook, so far everyone there that has had one hasn't seen this before. Its almost like an involuntary seizure like head twitching/jerking.

 

[kim75062]

 

[Humblefish]

Need some eel experts to chime in #reefsquad

 

[melypr1985]

I haven't seen that before either. I'll say that the next time you get a fish from online, try not to take 2 hours to acclimate them. The ammonia that can build up during that can cause harm... no to mention the ammonia that has already built up in the bag they were shipped in. Let's try @tyler1503 as well. He knows his eels.

 

[kim75062]

can everyone see the video? im not sure if i copied the correct link.

 

[Maritimer]

I can see the video, and though I've never seen an eel do anything like this before, it certainly does look as though he's trying to rid himself of something!

~Bruce

 

[tyler1503]

I've only seen the first few seconds of the video. Facebook is...doing what Facebook does best and not working.

It looks like she's just looking for food. Morays have a very advanced sense of smell and will shake their heads from side to side almost violently to smell for food. They'll pick up on a scent as they shake to decide which direction to look in and follow their nose.
Like I said, I only saw few seconds of the video so I can't say for sure. I'll keep trying to watch it and give you a more definite answer

 

[tyler1503]

After watching the video properly, I'd say she's just hungry
Keep an eye on her just in case, but she should be all good!

 

[Scott.h]

I have had 3 snowflakes. My current one is 19" and several years old. Had her since she was a baby. Maybe it's like a neurologic reaction, I'm not sure, but it's not normal. Also each of mine have been pigs and never turned down food. I'd be patient and give it some more time to adjust. They are the most hardy aquarium species I've ever had.

 

[kim75062]

I actually found a fish vet in my area and was considering taking it there but the vet even said on the phone it would be more stressful to transport it etc. and I f was sure he wasn't choking on something just keep impatiently waiting

 

[kim75062]

Thanks for the replies ! I thought all forums died off thanks to Facebook, it's so good to see one alive and well

 

[kim75062]

I have had 3 snowflakes. My current one is 19" and several years old. Had her since she was a baby. Maybe it's like a neurologic reaction, I'm not sure, but it's not normal. Also each of mine have been pigs and never turned down food. I'd be patient and give it some more time to adjust. They are the most hardy aquarium species I've ever had.

How long from getting them until they ate the first time?

 

[kim75062]

Would prazipro be ok as a precaution for internal parasites ? I've dosed my reef with it before but am not sure on eels, I know they don't handle copper well.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I've never seen ours do that.

 

[Scott.h]

How long from getting them until they ate the first time?

They can go awhile without eating in the wild. They aren't your typical "fish". Weeks? Are you putting food in front of it? I still hand feed mine to this day, every day. I never let them wander the tank trying to smell out the food, as they are pretty much blind and they will move rockwork if they go nuts. And disturb everyone else. I'm not sure what your feeding method is but use tweasers and put the food right at its nose. Krill is ok. They really like mysis frozen sheet pieces but it pollutes the tank if they don't swallow it before it melts. Mine won't touch clams, even if I try to trick her, she'll spit it out. I rotate grocery store raw shrimp, silversides cut in pieces, and formula 1. Krill was ok but not her favorite. I wouldn't move it to the vet either. It will probably be ok. Keep offering food daily. Also it will out grow that 55 surprising fast. 2 years if you are trying to house with other inhabitants. And your nitrates will be through the roof after a year. Just a heads up. They get big fast and are messy eaters. If you don't feed them regularly they'll get unruly. And make sure every slot in the tank lid is sealed with tape. All of mine have gotten out at one point or another even with a lid... end up in the filter or something. It's crazy. Theycan live out of water for quite awhile, thankfully. They can handle low doses of copper too, for short periods, but I don't think I'd go there. From what I understand pretty much immune to ich too. Give it some time.

 

[melypr1985]

How long from getting them until they ate the first time?

My snowflake took a couple weeks to start eating again. Once he did he was a huge pig!

 

[kim75062]

Thanks everyone!

The fish vet called me back, he was able to see the video. He does not suggest taking him in as transferring and transporting him would potentially do more harm then good. He does not believe it's a parasite and said it seems to be a nerve issue. They have a large nerve at the base on the neck somewhere by the gill holes (he lost me in terminology at this point).

Obviously he can't be sure without actually seeing it himself (think concussion or pinched nerve in us) but is pretty confident is may have been injured in shipping and/or harvesting. There is no treatment anyway so watch and wait is the only solution. But did say he will come to me to examine him if need be. I'm sure it will be ridiculously expensive but what isn't in this hobby.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I gotta be honest... I'm skeptical of his assessment.