Is my eel still alive?

dianapickles · 03/06/2016, 11:20 AM

So I found my new snowflake eel dried up on the floor next to my sump.

I have no idea how long he was even out because being a fairly new addition, I was used to him hanging out in the rock work.

I just put him back in the water, in the sump away from all the fish and he's been there for hours without any movement. I've heard people's eels just coming back to life but it's been hours so I was just about to chuck him when I noticed he was shedding his slime coat.

If he's dead, would it still shed by itself or does this mean there's hope. Because he's almost completely ... back to his squishy not dried up self. Although not a single bit of movement that I've noticed for hours.

billdogg · 03/06/2016, 12:12 PM

It may very well be a goner. Eels are escape artists. If there is ANY spot for them to get out of, they will.

Sounds Fishy · 03/06/2016, 12:28 PM

I lost a Blue Ribbon Eel once , because it escaped despite elaborate precautions.I think your eel has likely died,but keep us informed with an update.

dianapickles · 03/06/2016, 12:39 PM

I can't even believe he got out. I have a heavy *** lid and everything. Just my luck he found his way into the overflow.

He was so cool. Poor little guy. Loved hand feeding the little blindy. I hope he miraculously makes it. I was hoping the shedding was some kind of sign but he hasn't moved an inch. I'll update if there's any signs of life

03/06/2016, 11:20 AM	#1
dianapickles Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 171	Is my eel still alive? So I found my new snowflake eel dried up on the floor next to my sump. I have no idea how long he was even out because being a fairly new addition, I was used to him hanging out in the rock work. I just put him back in the water, in the sump away from all the fish and he's been there for hours without any movement. I've heard people's eels just coming back to life but it's been hours so I was just about to chuck him when I noticed he was shedding his slime coat. If he's dead, would it still shed by itself or does this mean there's hope. Because he's almost completely ... back to his squishy not dried up self. Although not a single bit of movement that I've noticed for hours.

03/06/2016, 12:12 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	It may very well be a goner. Eels are escape artists. If there is ANY spot for them to get out of, they will. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/06/2016, 12:28 PM	#3
Sounds Fishy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Canada Posts: 532	I lost a Blue Ribbon Eel once , because it escaped despite elaborate precautions.I think your eel has likely died,but keep us informed with an update. __________________ Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingray.Zebra Moray Eel.Aqueon 210 gallon,Trigger Ruby Elite 36 gallon sump

03/06/2016, 12:39 PM	#4
dianapickles Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 171	I can't even believe he got out. I have a heavy *** lid and everything. Just my luck he found his way into the overflow. He was so cool. Poor little guy. Loved hand feeding the little blindy. I hope he miraculously makes it. I was hoping the shedding was some kind of sign but he hasn't moved an inch. I'll update if there's any signs of life