Eel Questions, Food Size?

[Gwynhidwy]

About a week ago I got a beautiful Gymnothorax melatremus (golden dwarf moray). Unfortunately he has yet to eat. This is my first eel, and I think I may be offering him the wrong size of food, as normally these guys will eat anything. I have offered him squid, scallop, and shrimp both plain and garlic soaked, on the end of a small diameter wooden skewer.

When I put the food in the tank and wiggle it about, he comes out of the pvc tube he likes to hide in and looks around, sometimes even coiling around the skewer and food, but doesn't strike at it at all. Is this interest in food or am I wrong?

When is it time to move on to trying live food? Any other foods that I should try? What is the appropriate eel to food size ratio? Any other suggestions from those with eel experience?

 

[Chibils]

Good luck; I don't have a golden dwarf moray, but I'd love to.

imo, coiling around it sounds like an interest in it. But don't morays often lunge out of their hole and just nab it instantly?

 

[Gwynhidwy]

Thanks for the reply! I think the problem may be that he doesn't recognize where the food smell is coming from. He's not big enough to eat whole seafood of any sort that I've been able to find, and the pieces don't look or move like live food. He gets excited because he smells food, but maybe then can't recognize the lump on the stick as the source. I've tried both holding it still and moving it in different ways, but no luck yet.

 

[dmarie120]

He might not be hungry enough yet. Give him some time. You can try ghost shrimp if you're worried about him.

Dawn

 

[snorvich]

Eels often go on hunger strikes which can last a significant period of time. I used to feed my eel raw pieces of squid (the smell makes them crazy) with a feeder stick. Worth a shot. Their eyesite is terrible but their sense of smell is acute. I used to feed mine 3 times weekly.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

Thanks very much for the replies! I will keep trying and be more patient. If he goes another week I'll switch to live shrimp and hope that works. I've heard they can go on long hunger strikes, but one week is about when I start to get nervous.

Any feedback on the appropriate size item to offer him?

 

[snorvich]

Not with an eel. I had one that went for a couple of months. Finally coaxed him with fresh squid. Live shrimp is not likely to work. You need something smelly.

 

[ivgonmad]

I have had a many eels, start with some ghost shrimp and some black mollies

also, try feeding 30 mins after lights out

 

[ivgonmad]

oh, and something that works for me when the eels are not wanting to eat is pinching the tail of the ghost shrimp (the eel can smell it easier) and putting it near the eel's hole.

once you get a feeding response you can try feeding non-live food

 

[Chaloupa]

I have a new Golden Dwarf Moray eel and I offered fresh oyster pieces (bought from the seafood market and freshly shucked)...he ate it quite quickly....I tried again a couple of days later and as soon as the oyster hit the water he was out looking for it....(it takes a minute to get it close to his "den" and fending off the trigger is tough)

I cut the oyster into long slim pieces.....he ate a very large one the first time, and this time a few pieces....so will offer more tonight...I've had him for 9 days....I think he also gets some of the mixed foods I feed the rest of the fish...tonight I will also try some fresh clam and slowly add more food items to make sure he gets a variety.... good luck with yours....they sure are an interesting fish!

 

[Gwynhidwy]

Thanks for the replies! I'll try some fresh seafood, everything that I have has been frozen at some point, great idea!

 

[erendon]

Instead of a wooden skewer, try using rigid clear plastic tubing. The size of airline tubing. Cut it to your desired lenght. Wood used to scare him.
I have a golden dwarf in my tank (had him for 5 years), the only thing mine will eat is squid.

 

[delphinus]

Bump .. Any luck in the end? I have the *exact* problem with one I bought 9 days ago. Just doesn't seem to recognize that any of the offerings are "food".