My other half is getting a coral reef tank. At the shops I came across a stunning snowflake eel which I'd love to have as apart of the marine setting. Anyone know of pro's /con's of keeping eel's ? The tank is about 180 liters and we haven't really decided what fish to keep other than clownfish!
2007-03-20 17:04:10 · 6 answers · asked by greythound crazy 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
Pros:
Fun to feed (I would only feed it in one palce in the tank so I would not have to look for it)
I never SAW it picking on any thing else.
Blind as a bat (this saved most my fish) see cons
Interesting to watch , actually seen it open it's mouth to allow a cleaner shrimp in for teeth cleaning.
Cons:
knocking over rocks.
Hiding most of the time
If I lost a fish, I always blamed the eel
Blind as a bat (thought finger was food) see pros (scares you more then it hurts)
BIO Load, tons of waste products.
Even though snowflakes are not recomended for reef tanks, I have had good luck with them.
Sounds like you are just setting up your tank, so you have a while before you can add a snowflake. They are a VERY hardy fish and will probably out last anything else in your tank if water parimeters get out of wack. But due to the bio-load of the eel, if you put him in a un-established aquarium, It will spike your amonia levels so high, it may kill everything else in the tank.
Remember, move slow with this hobby. Takes a while to get water correct.
2007-03-20 18:55:17 · answer #1 · answered by Cookie Monster 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have had snowflakes now for more than 20 years. They are wonderful as pets.
First of all, remember as is with people, fish or animals have their own personalities and are no different. Do not believe they will only eat crabs and shrimp that is not true. Two of mine have never eaten any of the shrimp or crabs that are in their tank, while the other (In a 30 gallon) will eat them in a flash.
They are eels and still have the capability of eating any fish they can get into their mouths. As is with most eels, they find their food more by smell than by eyesite. Most of mine eat calamari (octopi and squid) even pellets (keeping them on pellets is a sure way to have them eat fish) They also have eaten fish from the tank! and have tormented my puffers trying to eat them as well and then pushing the floating balls all over the tank. (Not often, but enough)
They are not all night animals like most will suggest. An eel especially a snowflake in a tank will soon become accustom to YOUR activities and dinnertime. Yes they will find a place to "hide" but they do not remain inside rocks or caves, they will sit there and look out waiting for something to swim by. They are also very active and will swim around the tank every now and then. (You need a closed lid with very few holes large enough for them to escape. (They think these holes are cave holes and are really not trying to escape)
Mine can all be hand fed. I've had them since they were smaller than a pencil. This is a great size to get them at since they are very, i guess a good word is trainable. When you get your snowflake at this size, any fish will work since they do get used to your other fish and usually won't bother them even as the eel grows. the key is to keep them well fed. They are easy to care for and hearty adapting to rapid changes in your tank temperature, salinity and ammonia. (Great for beginners)
If you are going to keep clowns, I would highly recomend also adding a carpet or Pink tip Haitian annemone, for their own protection.
Snowflakes grow rather quickly and live over 8 years. They are a beautiful addition to any salt tank.
If you have any other questions on snowflakes, feel free to email me.
2007-03-21 08:57:57 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Snowflake eels are general crustacean and mollusk eaters and usually don't bother fish too often unless it's a quite small fish. I had a snowflake eel in a tank with various fish for years and never lots a fish to the eel. The biggest problem I had was feeding the eel. They have poor eye sight and are rather shy about leaving their hiding place when the lights are on so other fish beat them to the food. You usually have to feed them directly, but mine even ate out of my hand. Only got bitten twice teaching him that. Not a really bad bite as morays go.
MM
2007-03-21 00:36:33 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Eels often eat other fish. I've wanted a few different freshwater eel's and was discouraged because of the aggressiveness. I'm not sure if all eels are aggressive, but keep doing your research. Good luck!
2007-03-21 00:13:22 · answer #4 · answered by haair 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These guys do not get too big but they do eat small fish and crustaceans. They usually hide most of the time when the lights are on but you can train it to come out for food that way too. I long clamp feeder helps to feed them too. They will accept any food that literally touches their mouths. One other thing they have been known to escape out of tanks too so you have to maintain a tight versa glass top with little or no openings on the top. Good Luck
2007-03-21 01:29:34 · answer #5 · answered by Jose R 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you'll be able to keep clownfish with them lol, they'll end up dinner with the eel. Here's a link that pretty much sums them up good:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=131&N=0
2007-03-21 00:09:17 · answer #6 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋