Feeding Golden Dwarf Moray Eel Too Much?

[DrSalty]

Hey guys. I recently picked up a golden dwarf moray eel a week ago. Since his arrival, he's been eating like a pig - during my daily feeding time, he always comes out like he's hungry, demanding food. I've been feeding him a varied diet 1x/day (PE mysis, krill, silversides). I'm worried that I might be overfeeding him (most people seem to be feeding their GDM every couple of days). I don't want to overfeed him, but I also make sure he's full (want to discourage him from going after my clowns or wrasse). I would appreciate any advice about the correct amount of feeding. Thanks.

 

[Recty]

Feed them enough to make a small bulge in their belly, that's what I did for my tessy.

You should see the bulge go away in a day or two, then feed again.

Personally, when my eel was small I fed it every other day. Once it passed two feet, I slowed the feedings down to every three days. By the time it was around three feet, I pretty much fed it about every 5 days.

Eels are pretty opportunistic hunters, in my experience. They smell food, they want to eat, regardless of if they need to or not. They are used to living life like they might not get a meal for another week or a month. They arent hard wired to think the food god is going to drop in food on a regular basis for the rest of their life, so when food presents itself in the water, they try to eat and get excited even if they are full.

Go to the grocery store and get some fresh fish and feed him that, chopped up to the size of food he is used to eating. Tuna, salmon... something like that. I'd also suggest feeding something like scallops from time to time, maybe crab... definitely shrimp.

 

[DrSalty]

Thanks, Recty. I'll back down on the feedings. I'll also try to mix in some of the other types of food you mentioned.

 

[LargeAngels]

My GDM is in one of my community tanks which is fed many times per day so he could eat all day long, but he doesn't. I wouldn't worry about it.