Blue ribbon eel

[gsiegel]

My LFS (a good one) as a really cool blue ribbon eel (also only $55). Even cooler is that it is eating like a champ which from what I have read is the key. On two different occasions I saw it fed silversides which it ate both times with gusto.

My overflows are covered as are powerheads. The tank is open BUT it is a closed canopy above. If the eel was to go up and over the water level I think it would most likely pop back into the tank as the canopy is completely enclosed. There is just a glass lip surrounding that is about 2 inches over the water level and extends out maybe 2 inches at its widest point.

I have no problem feeding with a feeding stick (or by hand) 2-3 times per week.

Before I had this really amazing creature, does anyone have any thoughts or concerns that I am missing?

 

[Dmorty217]

If the eel is eating I would get him. I wouldn't be worried about the open top tank, that's a lot of body that has to go over the side before it hits the floor. My tank is open and my zebra moray never comes within 4" of the surface. He is still small (10") and fairly new to the tank (less than 3 months) so I guess time will tell

 

[Fish Biscuit]

Do a search, someone on here had a few & I can't remember who it was. Beautiful but you're in for a ton of work.

 

[gsiegel]

Why do you say a ton of work?

It was a piece of cake for him to eat both times I saw which from what I have read is the big key. With escape routes nixed what is the ton of work required that I am missing?

Thanks

 

[reeferstace]

It seems that way more of them die in captivity than thrive in captivity.

 

[Fish Biscuit]

I think it's the feeding that's a ton of work. I personally would read the thread before you buy it.

I can't remember everything on the thread but it was a lot of work & I'm sure he fed at least once or twice a day not a few times a week. There's a huge upside that its eating but that doesn't mean you're out of the woods completely.

 

[SDguy]

I wouldn't trust this fish in anything except a tank with a completely sealed top. Be it 1/4" mesh or glass, it needs to be a tight, very well fitting, secure lid/top.

Do you plan on some sort of pipe system, or lots and lots of rock? As I understand it, they need to be able to completely conceal themselves to feel secure. An insecure ribbon eel, IMO, is a non-feeding ribbon eel, regardless of what was going on in the LFS.

Also, they are fish eaters. I'd worry about some of your smaller wrasses.

Lots to consider... I've always wanted one, but just can't provide the perfect home to try it...

 

[Bent]

Yeah make sure you put a top on it. Mine was close to 48" when I found his body laying on the tile.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The statement about fish eating is accurate, but they wont eat a fish more than 2x's the width of their own body.

I find that the lip around the edge you describe is very effective in discouraging eels from climbing out of a tank.

 

[gsiegel]

The statement about fish eating is accurate, but they wont eat a fish more than 2x's the width of their own body.

I find that the lip around the edge you describe is very effective in discouraging eels from climbing out of a tank.

Cool - thanks for all the input. The fact that it seems really healthy, is eating like a champ, and I think that my tanks is suited for it, I am going to take a chance. Hoping it will become one of the great centerpieces in my tank.

 

[olemiss reb]

IME a PVC system is critical for success. PVC in the tank forms somewhat of an "H" with four openings. Holes are drilled throughout to allow for flow Eel very rarely completely leaves the PVC and when it does it is going to straight to another opening in the PVC.

I don't offer silversides-- not risking the eel to a spoiled one. Mine gets a rotation of amberjack, halibut, mahi, salmon, flounder, and tuna.

Hassle of feeding(assuming it's already weaned to frozen) comes into keeping other fish and shrimp from stealing the food. Mine is a slow and deliberate feeder- it searches out the narrow end of the strip before it commits to eating. If the food is cut too thick it will not eat it. Feeding two in the same tank is a major pita.

Different opening

View from back glass to show holes in pipe

Older video from when I had a pair--
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jSAZp4WVIe0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[snorvich]

Great picture, excellent advice. They are difficult, but doable if you are willing to do the considerable work in feeding them.

 

[gsiegel]

IME a PVC system is critical for success. PVC in the tank forms somewhat of an "H" with four openings. Holes are drilled throughout to allow for flow Eel very rarely completely leaves the PVC and when it does it is going to straight to another opening in the PVC.

I don't offer silversides-- not risking the eel to a spoiled one. Mine gets a rotation of amberjack, halibut, mahi, salmon, flounder, and tuna.

Hassle of feeding(assuming it's already weaned to frozen) comes into keeping other fish and shrimp from stealing the food. Mine is a slow and deliberate feeder- it searches out the narrow end of the strip before it commits to eating. If the food is cut too thick it will not eat it. Feeding two in the same tank is a major pita.

Different opening

View from back glass to show holes in pipe

Older video from when I had a pair--
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jSAZp4WVIe0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks! Do you get your fish assortment from the grocery store and then section off in pieces for feeding? Seems like your eels eat better than I do....
I know you say not too thick but approx how long of a piece and how much, how often do you feed?

That is one concern about keeping the other aggressive eating fish away but I can distract by feeding other food such as clam on the half shell which will distract them long enough. I would not have thought of getting the eel due to feeding concerns but this one ate without delay right when the food was placed close to it (silversides both times). I know you mentioned your concern about feeding a spoiled one, but can't that be the case with the other fish as well? Although I do like providing a variety (as I have done with my other fish).

Thanks again. Appreciate the input.:beer:

 

[olemiss reb]

I buy smaller filets from Whole Foods; freeze them and cut off strips as needed. I find it is easier to accurately cut the filet when they are frozen.

Frozen Amberjack on my high tech cutting board- an old piece of acrylic

Ideally the strips are roughly 3/16"x 3/16" square and 2-3" long. Dimensions are a crap shoot as the ease of cutting varies by species---- salmon is incredibly easy to cut to size while halibut is very difficult. It's fed every 2-3 days on average- sometimes more sometimes less. It's easy to tell when it's hungry as it becomes more aggressive to the Darts.

I broadcast feed mysid to keep the shrimp and fish occupied but that pair of Zebra Darts love to steal the eels food.(and then promptly spit it out b/c it's too big). I use 30# test fishing string with a split shot weight to deliver the strips.

I lost a Japanese Dragon a few years back to some spoiled squid(my fault) and have been paranoid about what I feed ever since. Silversides have been completely removed from my fish freezer.

I'll try to get a feeding video in a couple of hours when I feed the tanks but the Ribbon doesn't always cooperate.

 

[SDguy]

I buy smaller filets from Whole Foods; freeze them and cut off strips as needed. I find it is easier to accurately cut the filet when they are frozen.

Ideally the strips are roughly 3/16"x 3/16" square and 2-3" long. It's fed every 2-3 days on average- sometimes more sometimes less.
I broadcast feed mysid to keep the shrimp and fish occupied but that pair of Zebra Darts love to steal the eels food.(and then promptly spit it out b/c it's too big). I use 30# test fishing string with a split shot weight to deliver the strips.

That's a lot of dedicated work!! Good job.... how long have you been doing this?

 

[olemiss reb]

I've had the Ribbon for roughly 2.5 yrs. First salt tank was around 2001-02

I almost screwed up feeding by not securing the salmon properly to the string but luckily the ribbon found it quickly after I popped it off.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3c3W0lOy5yA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Bulge from dinner--

 

[gsiegel]

Cool.
Thanks for posting!

 

[JoelA7]

I had one - juvenile black - and fed every day. Small piece of squid or similar on the end of a blunted pin siliconed into the end of some rigid air tubing. Soaked in vitamins too. A little work but not hard and very rewarding. Slow deliberate eater. Took it's time approaching the food so I started to present it close to the eel. It did escape once through a small opening but my wife saw it wriggling on the floor and called me. So I saved it. Not too worse for wear. Loved my eel it went back to the store when I broke the tank down.

 

[Bent]

Makes you wonder how some of these picky eaters/timid animals ever survive in the wild.

You people are making me want another one.