Eels

[bpoore89]

I Was just wondering if this might be a possibility. I have a 55 with two seabea clowns, and a hippo tang. Would a snow flake eel be compatable. I have head that they dont bother anything they cant eat but im hesitant. They look cool but I dont want anything happening to my other fish. Any ideas?

 

[DaltonJames]

no get a wolf ell i bought one and it is sweet

 

[kkyyllee]

the fish should be safe as long as they cant easily be swallowed, btw ur tank is to small for the tang

 

[DaltonJames]

no i have a tang in my 55 gallon ppl say it is but it is just a fih

 

[lpsluver]

Your fish should be safe. Snowflake eels are generally crustacean eaters not fish eaters. Their heads tell the story. Short, blunt snout as campared to something like a dragon eel. They are opportunistic though and may catch a small fish while sleeping. A 9" snowflake is still pretty small and has a small head and mouth.
Keep it well fed with krill or small popcorn shrimp and you will be fine. At this size feed it all it wants twice a week. I mean stuff it. It will refuse food when full.
Keep the tank covered, especially the overflow because they will look for a way out for a few days to a few weeks. They will eventually settle in. You'll need a fine substrate instead of crushed coral because they can get scratched and develop infections while burrowing. Secure the rockwork because they tend to borrow.

 

[lpsluver]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10218757#post10218757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaltonJames
no get a wolf ell i bought one and it is sweet

Fun, interactive fish but they are really only long, ugly blennies, not true eels.

 

[TriniStylez]

Be careful with even Snowflake Eels! Mine was very gentle and shy as a baby but now its about 3 feet and very aggressive to anything new in the tank. He ate a 4 inch LionFish not too long ago. I thought for sure that the Lion would be fine but it was eaten the same day it was put into the tank. I also think a 55G is too small for an Eel. I know they dont need lots of swimming room but more is always better and remember they get about 3 feet in captivity. If your tank is only 3 feet long, seems kinda wrong. I know mine swims around all the time before feedings and at night...I would hate to see him in a small tank.

The only fish with him now is a very large Stars and Stripes Puffer. Even during feedings, the Eel will bite at the puffers tail. Puffer doesnt care at all but smaller fish would be an easy meal!

 

[lpsluver]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10219100#post10219100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriniStylez
Be careful with even Snowflake Eels! Mine was very gentle and shy as a baby but now its about 3 feet and very aggressive to anything new in the tank. He ate a 4 inch LionFish not too long ago. I thought for sure that the Lion would be fine but it was eaten the same day it was put into the tank. I also think a 55G is too small for an Eel. I know they dont need lots of swimming room but more is always better and remember they get about 3 feet in captivity. If your tank is only 3 feet long, seems kinda wrong. I know mine swims around all the time before feedings and at night...I would hate to see him in a small tank.

The only fish with him now is a very large Stars and Stripes Puffer. Even during feedings, the Eel will bite at the puffers tail. Puffer doesnt care at all but smaller fish would be an easy meal!

Dude your eel is a mutant! General rule of thumb for snowfklake is not 3'. More like 24-30". What have you been feeding that thing. Apparently not enough if it ate your lion. They are opportunistic as I stated but it more likely is nipping at your puffer because it thinks the puffer's tail is food not because it sees your puffer (if you get the distinction). Eel eyesight sucks and they bite first and ask questions later. Stuff that thing will cocktail shrimp once or twice a week and the fish should be safe (should be).

 

[bpoore89]

Thanks for the help guys! I really appreciate it. BTW my buddy who helped me through everything has a tang in a 55 also (his 55 is his smaller, and he also has a 90). Its been in their for over two years and is perfectly happy and active