Spotted eel attacked clownfish

[MysticBlue]

Hey guys so I just bought a spotted eel to go with my snowflake eel. I read that they’re pretty docile so I got one and my clown swam through a tunnel and got bit I was able to free the clown and the eel retreated. Not my clown has a huge bite in her side and I’m wondering if she will be ok!!!! How do I treat an injury like this one? I feed the eel immediately after and I’m praying it doesn’t happen again. How can I stop this from happening why would he try to take on such a big fish? He was in a tank with other fish why did he decide to go after my clown!!!!!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

First thing is to isolate the clown in as isolation basket so that the eel doesn't get a second chance at it.

Can you post a picture of the clown, I might be able to judge the severity of the wound.

Do you know the scientific name of your spotted eel? There are a few species with spots and some are aggressive. If you also post a picture of the eel, I can tell from that.

Jay

 

[lion king]

I'm going out on a limb and guess that it's a Gymnothorax moringa, which is commonly available and called a spotted eel. While a small less aggressive fang tooth eel, still a fang tooth eel, and if this is the eel; then yes your clowns and any other smaller fish will be on the menu.

 

[JC1977]

Is this what you have ? If so lion king is absolutely correct that eel’s primary food is fish. You’re setting yourself up for failure. He should be in a more suitable set up with larger more aggressive fish.

 

[MysticBlue]

I can’t get a pic sadly of either because one it’s impossible to get a good clear pic of a clown that injured!!! And I can’t get a pic of the eel because it’s hiding. https://dwazoo.com/animal/spotted-m...The main diet of,to locate prey and predators. Is the website that has the eel i have everyone said it be fine in my tank!!! The clown in swimming and eating, on closer inspection it’s just teeth marks not an actual chunk missing luckily!!

 

[fishguy242]

gonna get big,and yes agree ,will eat your fish, best wishes on the clown

 

[JC1977]

Lion king can probably elaborate better than me but any eel from the family gymnothorax have fanged or sharp teeth which they use generally to catch and eat fish. The size of the fish depends on the eel. For instance a tessalata eel which is the same family as the spotted eel you have gets much larger and from what I’ve heard isn’t really safe with any fish even larger aggressive fish. Your eel stays small most likely 2 feet or less however it’s in its dna to hunt fish so as it grows your clownfish are most likely going to be on the menu!

 

[MysticBlue]

I absolutely hate it when people tell you that it will work when it really won’t!!!!! And there are no returns so I guess I’ll be selling him soon lol

 

[MysticBlue]

I absolutely hate it when people tell you that it will work when it really won’t!!!!! And there are no returns so I guess I’ll be selling him soon lol

Well I can put the clowns in another tank but I still have a valintine puffer and a snowflake eel and a coral beauty. Who do I need to worry about? Or would I be better selling him?

 

[fishguy242]

get positive id , if link you posted ,it will get 5'+ ,sell it.
your location ?

 

[JC1977]

I wouldn’t do business with a LFS that would advise it’s ok to put that eel with your clownfish and more importantly told you that you couldn’t take it back after purchase! That’s just bs!

 

[Slocke]

Well I can put the clowns in another tank but I still have a valintine puffer and a snowflake eel and a coral beauty. Who do I need to worry about? Or would I be better selling him?

I'd worry about the angel. Its body shape should prevent eating but if the eel is biting then it could still be injured. The other fish should be fine.

 

[Slocke]

Gymnotherax moringa. That's a 6 foot eel. You've really been thrown under the bus by your LFS.

I'm thinking an eel quick guide would be useful on this forum.

 

[MysticBlue]

get positive id , if link you posted ,it will get 5'+ ,sell it.
your location ?

I think it’s definitely what was said above. I live in Anderson sc so I don’t know anything about selling fish.

 

[MysticBlue]

I wouldn’t do business with a LFS that would advise it’s ok to put that eel with your clownfish and more importantly told you that you couldn’t take it back after purchase! That’s just bs!

I know right!!!!!!!! That’s just bs and I definitely won’t be going back!!!

 

[MysticBlue]

I'd worry about the angel. Its body shape should prevent eating but if the eel is biting then it could still be injured. The other fish should be fine.

Well and that’s just it the angel keeps rubbing against the eel and the eel doesn’t care!!!!

 

[Slocke]

Well and that’s just it the angel keeps rubbing against the eel and the eel doesn’t care!!!!

Is it presenting its side to the eel? If so it is trying to look bigger than it is as not to be a target of predation.

 

[MysticBlue]

Is it presenting its side to the eel? If so it is trying to look bigger than it is as not to be a target of predation.

Ya it’s rubbing it’s side against the eels head but the angel keeps going to the eel every time the angel sees it.

 

[Lavey29]

I always wonder why someone would mix carnivorous predators with community fish in a reef tank and then be surprised by the results.

 

[Slocke]

Ya it’s rubbing it’s side against the eels head but the angel keeps going to the eel every time the angel sees it.

Yep it saying "I'm big and scary don't mess with me". Butterflies and angels evolved that body shape to be both difficult to eat and to look bigger than they are. I'd say its a good sign its being so bold and not being bit but your situation is not sustainable. Good chance this will happen again and that eel will get big pretty fast.