Curious about a moray eel...

[seventhz]

I am a beginner salt water aquarist and I am fancying the idea of keeping a moray eel. I am aware that they do not "play well with others" but I am not exactly sure to what extent. I have read that they are not good with many invertabrates but which ones? I'm sure that there are very few, if any, animals that could co-habitate with a moray eel but if so then what would that/they be? I would certainly like to have just a little bit of color and life in my first tank but if the eel is going to kill virtually everything and anything that I introduce to the tank then I'd rather not. Also, is my aquarium capable of handling the bio-load that the eel will create? My setup is comprised of a 35 gallon tank with a 5 chamber sump (knowing that the sump doesn't count as net gallonage.) By my math, I figure that the only way I could keep an eel is if I manage to find a juvenile less than 6" long and even then, how quickly do they grow because I'm assuming that at some point in time I will have to upgrade to a larger tank just to handle the bio-load without killing the eel. I feel that this may just be wishful thinking but is it possible... I don't just want to keep him alive, I want to keep him alive and healthy with a few 'neighbors' also. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[LisaD]

I don't think you have enough room for a moray eel in that tank. Even the smallest tend to need a larger tank that that. I wouldn't keep even the smaller eels in less than a 55 gallon tank. I have two moray eels in a large tank with four fish and a few hermit crabs, so not all eels need to be solitary occupants. Eels can differ widely in dietary needs, aggressiveness, temperament and size. The book Reef Fishes volume 1 (Scott Michael) has an excellent chapter on eels. You can also check www.wetwebmedia.com for species information - there are lots of good marine articles.

Here's a start on WWM: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/morays.htm

The beginner book I always recommend is New Marine Aquarium by Mike Paletta, excellent fish lists, step-by-step set-up instruction for a FOWLR, and great advice.

You might look into this expensive beauty:
http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/eels/goldendwarfmorayeel/

 

[Kengaroo131]

how big is your tank?

 

[billsreef]

He's got a 35

The golden dwarf that Lisa pointed out is the only eel that would do well in a 35 long term. Of the other moray species, even a baby shoe string sized will outgrow a 35 in few months or so. It would be good idea to take a look at some of the eels out there and see which ones you really like, than figure out what you need to keep it properly.

 

[LisaD]

In my 55, I keep a green wolf eel blenny. I think a 35 is really too small for the golden dwarf or a wolf eel, but that either would do great in a 55. My solution has always been to get "one more" tank to house whichever fish I want. Then I want a different fish. That's why I have so many tanks (see sig line).

 

[Fish_King_25]

i think it depends on how big you start with the eel, and if you ever plan on up grading...i have a 30 and possibly may be trying an extemely small Snowflake in there BUT in about 4 years (after school) i will have a 175 thriving and waiting for him...so it all depends..you can do a small one in a 35 but not forever, you will have to move him eventually, so if the 35 is the only tank your going to have, i would say pass on the eel.

 

[LisaD]

I agree, pass on the eel. about 8 years ago, I got a small zebra moray and kept it in a 29. for about 4-5 months! it's been in a 120 since then, and got pretty big fast - about 3.5 feet within the first few years! eels grow fast. mine has slowed down in growth, but I think it's getting close to 4 feet - it hardly ever comes out entirely, so it's hard to tell.

 

[pinkie]

Just to touch on the other topic of your post, you can get some very passive morays, not all morays are blood thirsty monsters. For example, snowflakes and zebra moray eels are extremely passive eels, and typically are only dangerous to things like crabs and shrimp.

 

[myerst2]

As Bill mentioned you have more than enough room for a dwarf moray, Gymn. Meletremus. Max size is 12" They don't eat as much as other morays and are very docile. Here's a few pics of the one I have had for about six months. i know of one person that has had one for over 6 years and it's still under 12". Regards, Tim

 

[petsarenice]

Another vote for the dwarf moray. They are a cool looking eel and won't be picking off their tankmates.

 

[Fish_King_25]

just to go along with the subject i have a 30g but ill be in college for the next four years but i will have a 150/175 set up aftr that...you think if i got an extremely small snowflake it would work for four years or shouyld i maybe consider the dwarf moray.

 

[Kengaroo131]

personaly i think a snowflake would do generaly well in a 35. it is a bit small for long term keeping but in its young years it should do very good. its also a good eel for beginners

 

[LukFox]

I think the golden dwarf would be a fine choice. I kept my dwarf in my 155g display for two and a half years, and moved her down to my 29g sump 5 months ago. She hasn't shown any difference in health, appetite, shyness, or general behavior. She's 12" long, by the way.

Mine ate two pistol shrimp, so be careful. Only keep it with the largest shrimp, and I'd avoid small gobies. If you get the eel and a pair of ocellaris or percula clowns, I think it would make a nice tank.