blue ribbon eel

[jguzzino]

I heard blue ribbon eels are the most suitable eel for a reef tank has anybody had any success with them?

 

[reefman8471]

Blue Ribbon Eel

Blue Ribbon Eel

I have not tried to keep one at anytime. They may actually be better for reef tanks than most other morays if only because their mouths are somewhat smaller. These eels are very difficult to keep and feed however.

James

 

[Tayler]

blue ribbon eels should not be kept in any aquarium IMO they are extremely hard to feed and their likely life span in a home aquarium is about 4- 6 months so no dont try it for the sake of the eel

 

[jguzzino]

they dont like to eat in captivity or what? If not a blue ribbon what do you guys suggest

 

[LionfishFinatic]

It really depends on the size of the tank. If your tank is around 55 gallons +, then you could keep a snowflake eel. Anything smaller, then dwarf eels would be more suitable. Dwarf eels are more expensive, but definitely a good choice for a smaller tank.
You also have to remember that all eels have a habit of knoking over corals, rockwork and anything else that isn't secured in a reef aquarium. The best thing you can do is to drill your live rock and zip-tie them together, and to putty all your corals down.

 

[Tayler]

a good choice if you like the blue ribbon eel is the white ribbon eel different species but they look alike they also are easy to wean onto prepared food but they do need a large tank (200gal+)

 

[Sk8r]

I had a ghost eel. It's amazing how wide their mouth can open. They hunt at night and eat any fish they can fit in.
Mine got 300.00 worth of fish and I had to unbuild the tank to get him out.
I think the story may be, with these interesting eels, that they are willing to eat at about 3am...but they like live food.

 

[jguzzino]

I saw a ghost eel for sale they werent too pretty. Is a snowflake suitable to have in a reeftank as far as not eating fish

 

[LisaD]

better than most, as long as the fish are too big to swallow and the snowflake is well fed. they are primarily crustacean eaters, but aren't 100% safe with smaller fish. (so not at all safe with shrimp or crabs.) keep the tank covered. snowflakes, more than any other eel, IME, are most likely to get out of the tank and end up on the floor.

 

[LionfishFinatic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11699587#post11699587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tubeworm_54
a good choice if you like the blue ribbon eel is the white ribbon eel different species but they look alike they also are easy to wean onto prepared food but they do need a large tank (200gal+)

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought all of the ribbon eels were of the same species (i.e. blue, black, and white) but just in different stages of their life. I heard some one say this a while ago; they said that the white was the earlier stage blue was middle and then they turn black later on in life.

IDK if this is correct, but I remembered hearing this on this forum a while ago.

 

[bryan007]

If you really want a moray in your reef I would definitely recommend the zebra moray. They do not eat fish. Their natural diet are crustaceans. Granted if your concerned about shrimp, etc that might be a problem. I have one which is now almost 3 feet long. He doesn't eat any of the shrimp- skunks, blood but does eat fiddler crabs and slipper lobsters which I buy to feed him. The shrimp actuall live with him in his cave and are constantly cleaning him. They even go inside his mouth to clean. I've had this fish now for a year and is at the top of my favorite fish list. They are also very passive, he allows me to pet him. The Snowflakes are great also for a reef tank but in time they will eat smaller fish if they can catch them which is why I like the Zebra moray as fish are not part of it's natural diet.

 

[BigH55]

Eels grow really fast too. had on grow 6" in about 6 months. The snowflake eel is awesome and ive never had a problem with it eating other fish except for the yellow watchman.

 

[MV_ReEfLoVer]

My LFS has a black ribbon eel in their 100g reef.The guy there feeds it a molly every 1/2 to one hour.He's always poking his head out frm the cave waiting for food!!.

 

[Ranzan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11700616#post11700616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LionfishFinatic
Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought all of the ribbon eels were of the same species (i.e. blue, black, and white) but just in different stages of their life. I heard some one say this a while ago; they said that the white was the earlier stage blue was middle and then they turn black later on in life.

IDK if this is correct, but I remembered hearing this on this forum a while ago.

You are somewhat correct the white ribbon eels are a different species the black and blue are the same but change colors when changing gender i believe.