What eel would you keep in a mixed reef?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

What kind of eel would you keep in a mixed reef with other fish? I know none of them are totally safe, but I'm curious about which ones you've seen do best in a community tank. I'm currently thinking a snowflake moray is what I'll most likely add (and add him as small as possible so he learns to eat prepared foods rather than dining on passersby).

 

[Crabs McJones]

snowflake would get my vote as well. like you mentioned, never 100% that they won't eat any of your fish, just gotta try your best to keep him well fed and pre-occupied

 

[Timfish]

Dwarf Moray, Gymnothorax melatremus.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Zebra Moray would be my first choice, followed by pretty much any of the other pebbletooths - I'd lean toward Chainlink as my second choice because I like the color/pattern.

With fangtooths, I've seen pretty good results in mixed reefs with Dragon Morays, Dwarf Morays (probably the safest fangtooth option in the hobby), and Banana/Fire Coral Morays, so any of those would be my choices there.

 

[Thrillik]

I did a lot of reading through old R2R threads on this exact topic. Seems like a Zebra is the way to go. Just need to convince the wife it isn't a "water snake"

 

[Crabs McJones]

Don't forget, with eels that tank needs to be made escape proof. Read many threads of users finding their eels on the floor. Almost as bad as octopus

 

[OrchidMiss]

@Goaway

Mine is shipping today for delivery tomorrow.

 

[Goaway]

I have always loved ribbon eels from the day i got one 32 years ago

 

[HII315]

I'm currently running a 40 gallon mixed reef. I have a snowflake eel, two clownfish, Australian damsel, splendid dottyback and a peppermint shrimp. Everything was fine, the snowflake eel was totally fine with everything even though the eel could easily eat everything it stays friendly. I feed the tank once a day, frozen brine shrimp and I feed the eel dried shrimp. Most people would say don't keep an eel with fish that could fit in its mouth but I figure if they live in the ocean together I minus well shoot my shot.

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

Dwarf Moray, Gymnothorax melatremus.

and don't mind the Bandaid ;-)

 

[Timfish]

and don't mind the Bandaid ;-)

That actually was from doing some woodwork. Danger has nipped me but let go as soon as he realized my finger wasn't a piece of shrimp, no damage done. I don't reccommend hand feeding with a larger eel.

 

[randomfishdude]

Any eel. It would keep my mom out of my room forever.

 

[Fred A.]

What kind of eel would you keep in a mixed reef with other fish? I know none of them are totally safe, but I'm curious about which ones you've seen do best in a community tank. I'm currently thinking a snowflake moray is what I'll most likely add (and add him as small as possible so he learns to eat prepared foods rather than dining on passersby).

I've had snowflakes, zebras and green morays. Zebras are the shyest, snowflakes the heartiest and grow really fast, green sharpest looking teeth! All behave really well and readily eat frozen shrimp, silverside and krill. I would recommend the snowflake.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

My vote is for the snowflake eel. My eel has been in my reef tank for at least five years now. I got him when he was the diameter of a pencil. He’s been a model citizen. I keep my eel well fed and I use the the same feeding toungs and I feed him in the same spot each time. So he leaves the fish alone. At least until the writing of this post. Tomorrow is a new day so you never know.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

a ribbon!

 

[littlefoxx]

Any eel. It would keep my mom out of my room forever.

Lol one of my 3 eels always comes out and swims when my mom visits. Never fails and it scares her lol

 

[littlefoxx]

I'm currently running a 40 gallon mixed reef. I have a snowflake eel, two clownfish, Australian damsel, splendid dottyback and a peppermint shrimp. Everything was fine, the snowflake eel was totally fine with everything even though the eel could easily eat everything it stays friendly. I feed the tank once a day, frozen brine shrimp and I feed the eel dried shrimp. Most people would say don't keep an eel with fish that could fit in its mouth but I figure if they live in the ocean together I minus well shoot my shot.

You will need a bigger tank for the snowflake soon. They grow faster and get 2 feet long.

 

[eelman07]

Definitely a Zebra Morey Eel!

 

[Slocke]

Snake eels. They lack the teeth to be dangerous to most fish. Even safer then a pebble toothed eel.

 

[michael_cb_125]

I have kept Zebras with great results in mixed reefs. Even the smallest fish were safe. That said they will eat your crabs, and tend to be pretty shy.