Is there a reef safe Eel????

Xenia King · 01/26/2007, 12:33 AM

Does anyone have an eel in a reef tank?

Sk8r · 01/26/2007, 12:59 AM

absolutely easy to have an eel in a reef tank. I had a ghost eel that was a perfect citizen with corals, and one of the most beautiful fish I have ever taken my tank apart to remove. It was his tankmates he ate, 300.00 worth of them!

If I'd been content to feed this allegedly finicky eater more tankmates, I could have kept him in the reef forever. The only thing that survived his reign of terror were 1) a dottyback and 2) all the damsels.

hahnmeister · 01/26/2007, 01:23 AM

Hawaiian bananna/yellow moray... usually about 6" at most and $200 because they are so hard to find.

reefez · 01/26/2007, 01:38 AM

I had a Snowflake for a bit. He kind of got a attitude and had to be removed.

zemuron114 · 01/26/2007, 02:59 AM

dwarf eels are "reef safe" but will usually eat pistol shrimp. They DO get bigger then 6". I have seen them in the 14" range (this is absolute biggest) usually they are around 10" or so. And you will spend more then 200$ to find a good one.

piscivorous · 01/26/2007, 09:57 AM

I thought snowflakes were supposed to be pretty good? What kind of "attitude" did he get???

tkeracer619 · 01/26/2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by piscivorous
I thought snowflakes were supposed to be pretty good? What kind of "attitude" did he get???

Probably eating his neighbors kind of attitude.

SptfireXIV · 01/26/2007, 12:32 PM

It all depends on your definition of "reef safe"

Will they eat corals? No

Will they eat invertebrates? Yes

Will they eat other fish? Yes

kfowler · 01/26/2007, 12:38 PM

IMO, it depends on the inhabitants of your reed. If you have fairly large fish, you should be able to keep a snowflake without much issue. Mine was always a model citizen. Even with smaller fish. Not the Mexican Dragon Eel was the devil reincarnate. He ate everything.

zemuron114 · 01/27/2007, 02:59 AM

my SFE was a great fish. He use to sleep with my puffer and blue damsel (weird?) I had him with volitan, porc puffer, 2 blue damsels, yellow tang.

Zebra eels are a great choice for a passive LARGE reef. I say large because they get big and have a lot of waste. They will pretty much stay away from any fish (even small gobies and such)

gwhit · 01/27/2007, 10:24 PM

I've had a ghost eel for well over a year and he never bothers any coral or inverts but will eat any fish that fits in his mouth. Like sk8r says these guys are supposed to be finicky eaters but have no trouble source food in the tank no matter how much you try to keep them well fed. So fish have to be large or tough (i.e. dottybacks). I've given up on gobies and the fancier peaceful fish that I'd love to have. I'd focus more on fish-eel compatability that reef concerns. Just my opinion.

huskerreef · 01/27/2007, 10:42 PM

i have a large tessalata in my lagoon and he seems un interested in eating his tank mates, loves silversides. he could ealisly catch some of his tank mates that hang out near his rock pile.

earlnewt · 01/27/2007, 10:50 PM

Engineer Goby... I know it is not an eel, but they have every attribute that an eel has. Great as pairs or groups. Very reef safe with great attitudes and loads of personality.

Im14abeer · 01/27/2007, 11:17 PM

Since Engineer Gobies a.k.a Convict Blennies were mentioned, I wanted to raise a bit of caution. These fish are awesome, but you must have your rock sitting on the bottom. They are unstoppable excavators, and your rockwork will topple if not secured against this. Great fish though, very hardy, eat any prepared food and don't bother any other tankmates. Not as flashy as an eel though. An interesting aside, they are neither Gobies nor Blennies.

jck3120 · 01/28/2007, 09:38 AM

My SFE was great for the first year or so until it decided to start biting all my tankmates. Took a nice chunk out of the fin of my banded cat shark as well as the fin of my mandarin....yes I know he is going to the sump soon. I'd try a zebra if you have a large enough tank.

ionredline0260 · 01/28/2007, 10:16 AM

a friend of mine keeps a blue snowflake eel with a mandrin goby and they get along fine. He said the trick is keeping the eels belly full

RedEyeElf · 01/28/2007, 10:20 AM

so I was searching a reef tank looking for the small snowflake, when I gave up and figured he was hiding good, so I go check the refugium 50 feet away and BAM there he is, in the refugium. I guess they lost power and he swam into the bulkhead and through all the plumbing

they can be kept, just remember, they are some silly acting, blind creatures, that will amaze you everytime

Holmie_D_Klown · 01/28/2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zemuron114

Zebra eels are a great choice for a passive LARGE reef. I say large because they get big and have a lot of waste. They will pretty much stay away from any fish (even small gobies and such)

I also have a Zebra eel in a reef and he is a model citizen. I've had him for 2 years and he has yet to eat a tankmate including inverts. I have 2 cleaner shrimp which are always in his mouth cleaning him. He is also pretty mellow and kind of hangs out in the back of the tank so he doesn't bother or knock over my corals. The only negative on him is his bioload. I feed him once a week to limit the bioload and his growth.

samson78945 · 01/28/2007, 02:25 PM

currently i have a spotted moray in my reef tank. he is a small eel only about 6-7inches and is getting along great with everyone else in the tank. it seems that he stays in check because i also have a dwarf lionfish and the power is all in his corner.

Marsfrogie · 01/28/2007, 04:41 PM

Zebra Moray Eels are very well behaved. Mine doesn't even bother snails and hermits that walk an inch in front of his mouth. Bioload is a big problem though. They also get large as others have stated.

Bret61081 · 01/29/2007, 01:12 AM

I had a white ghost eel in my tank for over a year with no problems...the only fish I was never able to keep were firefish! other then that it was great in there...everyone loved to watch it eat the silversides when they came over!

frazier · 01/29/2007, 01:26 AM

my LFS has a blue ribbon in one of there reef tanks...it's awesome but I believe it's very hard to keep and hard to get one..

Ooulophilia · 01/29/2007, 01:33 AM

If your sandbed is deep enough, and you are willing to feed live foods, you could look into garden eels. Although they are far more challenging to keep than the moreys, when provided with the right environment they can be fascinating, and do not pose the threat of eating your reef inhabitants and knocking over your corals

STsONpERs · 01/29/2007, 01:43 AM

go to atlantis's website they have a dwarf eel for sale now,...

I was going to buy it untill i looked at the price $600

01/26/2007, 12:33 AM	#1
Xenia King Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 59	Is there a reef safe Eel???? Does anyone have an eel in a reef tank? __________________ Lets see I have 5 powerheads, I skimmer, I return pump, 1 heater, all pluged in to 120V..... Now would be a good time to stick my hand in the tank. Xenia King! Current Tank Info: 135 reef tank

01/26/2007, 12:59 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	absolutely easy to have an eel in a reef tank. I had a ghost eel that was a perfect citizen with corals, and one of the most beautiful fish I have ever taken my tank apart to remove. It was his tankmates he ate, 300.00 worth of them! If I'd been content to feed this allegedly finicky eater more tankmates, I could have kept him in the reef forever. The only thing that survived his reign of terror were 1) a dottyback and 2) all the damsels. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/26/2007, 01:38 AM	#4
reefez Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 845	I had a Snowflake for a bit. He kind of got a attitude and had to be removed. __________________ So many hobbies..So little time.. Current Tank Info: 125gal. 30gal. sump Octopus 3000 skimmer. Monster sailfin tang, purple Tang, yellow tang, Copperband Butterfly, Coral Beauty, Marine Beta, Pair of Vanuatu Tomato Clowns BB With 170lbs. LR

01/26/2007, 12:32 PM	#8
SptfireXIV Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 1,247	It all depends on your definition of "reef safe" Will they eat corals? No Will they eat invertebrates? Yes Will they eat other fish? Yes __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Rimless SPS Reef

01/26/2007, 12:38 PM	#9
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	IMO, it depends on the inhabitants of your reed. If you have fairly large fish, you should be able to keep a snowflake without much issue. Mine was always a model citizen. Even with smaller fish. Not the Mexican Dragon Eel was the devil reincarnate. He ate everything. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

01/26/2007, 01:23 AM	#3
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Hawaiian bananna/yellow moray... usually about 6" at most and $200 because they are so hard to find.

01/26/2007, 02:59 AM	#5
zemuron114 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pilgrim State (Mass) Posts: 4,039	dwarf eels are "reef safe" but will usually eat pistol shrimp. They DO get bigger then 6". I have seen them in the 14" range (this is absolute biggest) usually they are around 10" or so. And you will spend more then 200$ to find a good one.

01/26/2007, 09:57 AM	#6
piscivorous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Groton, N.Y. Posts: 801	I thought snowflakes were supposed to be pretty good? What kind of "attitude" did he get???

01/27/2007, 02:59 AM	#10
zemuron114 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pilgrim State (Mass) Posts: 4,039	my SFE was a great fish. He use to sleep with my puffer and blue damsel (weird?) I had him with volitan, porc puffer, 2 blue damsels, yellow tang. Zebra eels are a great choice for a passive LARGE reef. I say large because they get big and have a lot of waste. They will pretty much stay away from any fish (even small gobies and such)

01/27/2007, 10:24 PM	#11
gwhit Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lindsay, Ont. Canada Posts: 12	I've had a ghost eel for well over a year and he never bothers any coral or inverts but will eat any fish that fits in his mouth. Like sk8r says these guys are supposed to be finicky eaters but have no trouble source food in the tank no matter how much you try to keep them well fed. So fish have to be large or tough (i.e. dottybacks). I've given up on gobies and the fancier peaceful fish that I'd love to have. I'd focus more on fish-eel compatability that reef concerns. Just my opinion.

01/27/2007, 10:42 PM	#12
huskerreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 1,169	i have a large tessalata in my lagoon and he seems un interested in eating his tank mates, loves silversides. he could ealisly catch some of his tank mates that hang out near his rock pile. __________________ Jim G President of Nebraska's premiere reef club The Nebraska Reef Club Current Tank Info: 620 Mixed Reef, 240 Acan Lord, 90 Zoanthid...I think that plenty for now

01/27/2007, 10:50 PM	#13
earlnewt Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western Mass. Posts: 180	Engineer Goby... I know it is not an eel, but they have every attribute that an eel has. Great as pairs or groups. Very reef safe with great attitudes and loads of personality.

01/27/2007, 11:17 PM	#14
Im14abeer BRILLIANT! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI Posts: 406	Since Engineer Gobies a.k.a Convict Blennies were mentioned, I wanted to raise a bit of caution. These fish are awesome, but you must have your rock sitting on the bottom. They are unstoppable excavators, and your rockwork will topple if not secured against this. Great fish though, very hardy, eat any prepared food and don't bother any other tankmates. Not as flashy as an eel though. An interesting aside, they are neither Gobies nor Blennies. __________________ Veni, vidi, fishi Current Tank Info: Mixed 235 "reefin' in the corner." Reefbreeders 48 & 32. 2x Tunze 6255 on a 7096, Basement sump, Avast cs1, mag 18 return. Chaeto, kalk.

01/28/2007, 09:38 AM	#15
jck3120 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 95	My SFE was great for the first year or so until it decided to start biting all my tankmates. Took a nice chunk out of the fin of my banded cat shark as well as the fin of my mandarin....yes I know he is going to the sump soon. I'd try a zebra if you have a large enough tank.

01/28/2007, 10:16 AM	#16
ionredline0260 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Box Around the Corner Posts: 747	a friend of mine keeps a blue snowflake eel with a mandrin goby and they get along fine. He said the trick is keeping the eels belly full

01/28/2007, 10:20 AM	#17
RedEyeElf Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 462	so I was searching a reef tank looking for the small snowflake, when I gave up and figured he was hiding good, so I go check the refugium 50 feet away and BAM there he is, in the refugium. I guess they lost power and he swam into the bulkhead and through all the plumbing they can be kept, just remember, they are some silly acting, blind creatures, that will amaze you everytime

01/28/2007, 02:25 PM	#19
samson78945 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: So Cal Posts: 267	currently i have a spotted moray in my reef tank. he is a small eel only about 6-7inches and is getting along great with everyone else in the tank. it seems that he stays in check because i also have a dwarf lionfish and the power is all in his corner.

01/28/2007, 04:41 PM	#20
Marsfrogie Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 463	Zebra Moray Eels are very well behaved. Mine doesn't even bother snails and hermits that walk an inch in front of his mouth. Bioload is a big problem though. They also get large as others have stated.

01/29/2007, 01:12 AM	#21
Bret61081 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 2,078	I had a white ghost eel in my tank for over a year with no problems...the only fish I was never able to keep were firefish! other then that it was great in there...everyone loved to watch it eat the silversides when they came over!

01/29/2007, 01:26 AM	#22
frazier Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: KY Posts: 309	my LFS has a blue ribbon in one of there reef tanks...it's awesome but I believe it's very hard to keep and hard to get one..

01/29/2007, 01:33 AM	#23
Ooulophilia Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Norcal Posts: 482	If your sandbed is deep enough, and you are willing to feed live foods, you could look into garden eels. Although they are far more challenging to keep than the moreys, when provided with the right environment they can be fascinating, and do not pose the threat of eating your reef inhabitants and knocking over your corals

01/29/2007, 01:43 AM	#24
STsONpERs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MN Posts: 395	go to atlantis's website they have a dwarf eel for sale now,... I was going to buy it untill i looked at the price $600