blue Ribbon Eels?

[dhost]

Has anyone had any luck keeping a blue ribbon eel longer than 6 months? any advise before I buy one, or should I buy one? Are they reef safe?

 

[Wolverine]

Don't buy one. Basically, if these are the questions you're asking, you're not ready to attempt keeping one. There are many who feel that these should simply be left in the ocean. Some make the argument that advanced aquarists only should keep them.

They may eat some of your motile crustaceans before they die.

Dave

 

[dhost]

Is there an eel that is easy to keep in a reef tank.
Man that is a pretty eel, and I sure would like to get it. any advise if i do breakdown and buy it?

 

[Bret61081]

Don't buy it! its a waste of $$ unless you actually see it eating before. If its a good store they won't even stock it!I wil try and find some pics of my eel. Its a white ghost eel. I've had it in my reef for over a year now and its doing great. looks very simliar to a ribbon eel but these guys eat! Mine loves silversides. here is the link for more info

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=7283

I had to have my LFS special order it for me and now he stocks them regularly. cost about 35$ I will see if I can find any pictures for you...

 

[kenny77]

If you want to invest your money with out killing a creature that won't eat in your tank get a snowflake eel. they get very nice when big and can be hand feeded. Mine use to eat on my hand. But please don't buy a ribbon eel.

Please!

 

[dhost]

Thanks I will stay away. They sure are pretty. I guess some things just belong in the Ocean.

 

[technoshaman]

If you aren't planning on keeping crustaceans and have a solid rockscape consider a zebra eel - very 'pet' like and gentle compared to snowflakes.

 

[reefdom]

I had one for 2 years (5 foot) before he got out...

They will eat your shrimp, gobies and snails at times.. It's a financial gamble.. If you get one start it off in your reef overflow box if you have one.. You'll be surprised they will get in and out of there on there own.. You'll see him in there and then next he'll be swimming across the tank..

They are one of the most incredible eels IMO (The colors duke the colors)..

 

[Chihuahua6]

Years ago I had a snowflake. He was big, tame and beautiful until one day he went carpet surfing. The tank needs to be covered tightly. I imagine any eel would eat small fish and shrimp in your tank but not corals so it depends on what else you want to keep.

 

[Quatro]

I've had one for a little over a year in our 55 gallon fish only tank. She (dark colored, not blue) was eating at the fish store, so my mom gave her a try and she's been eating silversides in our tank ever since. I would say this is 1 in 1000, so don't try it unless you want to go through lots of eels! The white ribbon eel mentioned earlier is a much better choice because of it's hardiness. I'll try to find a picture just for fun and post later.