Snowflake eel into my reef tank

kenc87 · 08/25/2012, 05:19 PM

Ok so here's the question: what are the odds I will have a problem putting my snowflake eel who is in his own tank into my reef tank. I am looking to cut down on the number of tanks in my apt. I do have a few shrimp and crabs in the reef tank but my snowflake eel is a very chill one. I'm just not sure what the chances are I will have a problem. I do keep him well fed.

Buzz1329 · 08/25/2012, 06:42 PM

Here's a thread discussing the pros and cons of what you have in mind:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2143768

Bdial · 08/25/2012, 06:45 PM

If you keep him well fed you probably won't have a problem. But all predatory fish are Opportunistic. So if your shrimp or a little fish swims by he may have a little snack.

sporto0 · 08/25/2012, 07:53 PM

The Snowflake Eel is a Moray, they get big & destructive, i.e. knocking things over & eating any type of clean up crew, I would suggest that you do not attempt this, I kept a Snowflake Eel in my fish only tank for 8 years & he became a pain in the you know what.

Reef264 · 08/25/2012, 09:16 PM

Having a Moray in a Reef is a hassle at times.You will deal with mostly picking up after it, because they knock a good bit of things over that aren't secured.I have a 3' Zebra Moray in my Display, and it's one of the most calm Doscile creatures in the tank.I can't speak so much for snowflakes.In all the issues that pop up with having one, they never outweigh the joy of having it in there.Its undoubtedly the coolest creature in the tank, he lives with Blennies, & gobies.Hes never even looked at them.

Good luck with it,
-Ray

Paris_Wiley · 08/26/2012, 08:16 AM

I have seen this done several times without incident, but you should be prepared to potentially lose the shrimp and crabs. If you keep him well fed there is a chance he will leave them alone, but he is a predator and they are food so there will always be a chance that he will go after them (including any other small fish that you may later want).

Afrankiewicz12 · 08/26/2012, 09:30 AM

Don't do it no matter what he will eat them

billsreef · 08/26/2012, 10:22 AM

Generally safe with fish, their primary diet is crabs and shrimp. So, the crabs and shrimp could become a meal...even if the eel is kept well fed.

downbeach · 08/26/2012, 11:06 AM

I have a mixed reef and added a snowflake once. Kept him well fed, but he still ate the best shrimp money could buy: Blood, Cleaner, Peppermint, Coral Banded, I also think he got my Emerald Crab. He had an insatiable appetite.

kenc87 · 08/26/2012, 11:06 AM

Ya I know he's good with fish as I had some clownfish with him for a while and honestly I think he was scared of them. He never screwed with them at all. I am not sure if I'll end up doing it but he is in his own tank right now and I wanna break it down without getting rid of him :-/

08/25/2012, 05:19 PM	#1
kenc87 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Posts: 610	Snowflake eel into my reef tank Ok so here's the question: what are the odds I will have a problem putting my snowflake eel who is in his own tank into my reef tank. I am looking to cut down on the number of tanks in my apt. I do have a few shrimp and crabs in the reef tank but my snowflake eel is a very chill one. I'm just not sure what the chances are I will have a problem. I do keep him well fed.

08/25/2012, 06:42 PM	#2
Buzz1329 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,414	Here's a thread discussing the pros and cons of what you have in mind: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2143768 __________________ Current tank info: 180 mixed reef

08/25/2012, 06:45 PM	#3
Bdial Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Huntington, wv Posts: 675	If you keep him well fed you probably won't have a problem. But all predatory fish are Opportunistic. So if your shrimp or a little fish swims by he may have a little snack. __________________ Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good. Haste makes waste. WINTER IS COMING

08/25/2012, 09:16 PM	#5
Reef264 Where's The Reef? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southaven, Ms Posts: 2,098	Having a Moray in a Reef is a hassle at times.You will deal with mostly picking up after it, because they knock a good bit of things over that aren't secured.I have a 3' Zebra Moray in my Display, and it's one of the most calm Doscile creatures in the tank.I can't speak so much for snowflakes.In all the issues that pop up with having one, they never outweigh the joy of having it in there.Its undoubtedly the coolest creature in the tank, he lives with Blennies, & gobies.Hes never even looked at them. Good luck with it, -Ray __________________ I'd rather Die on my feet, than Live on my Knees. Current Tank Info: 150g SPS Reef, 2x250w 14k Pheonix Metal Halides w/T-5 Actinics, 2 Tunze 6095's, Tunze 7096 controller, Ozone, Precision Marine Skimmer, Reef Octopus Bio-Churn Bio Pellet Reactor, GFO & Carbon Reactor, Ozone Reactor, ATO, Reef Keeper.

08/26/2012, 10:22 AM	#8
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	Generally safe with fish, their primary diet is crabs and shrimp. So, the crabs and shrimp could become a meal...even if the eel is kept well fed. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

08/25/2012, 07:53 PM	#4
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	The Snowflake Eel is a Moray, they get big & destructive, i.e. knocking things over & eating any type of clean up crew, I would suggest that you do not attempt this, I kept a Snowflake Eel in my fish only tank for 8 years & he became a pain in the you know what.

08/26/2012, 08:16 AM	#6
Paris_Wiley Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 90	I have seen this done several times without incident, but you should be prepared to potentially lose the shrimp and crabs. If you keep him well fed there is a chance he will leave them alone, but he is a predator and they are food so there will always be a chance that he will go after them (including any other small fish that you may later want).

08/26/2012, 09:30 AM	#7
Afrankiewicz12 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 28	Don't do it no matter what he will eat them

08/26/2012, 11:06 AM	#9
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	I have a mixed reef and added a snowflake once. Kept him well fed, but he still ate the best shrimp money could buy: Blood, Cleaner, Peppermint, Coral Banded, I also think he got my Emerald Crab. He had an insatiable appetite.