First Snowflake Eel

[samdaman]

Hi Guys, I just purchased my first eel today, its about 10-11" long. I was just wondering what their nature is? Do they stay hidden most of the time? how many times should I feed it? Any Special care?

I added it today and its been out all day cruising the tank, like he wants to escape, he devoured a silver side. I offered a second one and he did not want it. It seems he is making many Home bases where he can be at. My tank is sealed so IK have no fear of him jumping out. Although it seems he is trying to.

Is being out and swimming all around the water column normal?

Thanks Guys!

 

[samdaman]

 

[rubensito]

it will be less erratic once it settles in and finds a preferred hidey-hole. I've had new eels do the swimming around the tank frantically, but settle down within a couple of days. It ate so that is a good sign, just be patient. As for feeding, since it is still small every 2 or 3 days seems ok to me, just vary the diet and go crustacean-heavy

 

[anbosu]

If you can add some PVC under the rock and sand so you have some ready made eel tunnels. It will hang out there most of the time then and you will have less risk of your rock being toppled as the eel gets bigger and roots around under the rocks.

 

[samdaman]

it will be less erratic once it settles in and finds a preferred hidey-hole. I've had new eels do the swimming around the tank frantically, but settle down within a couple of days. It ate so that is a good sign, just be patient. As for feeding, since it is still small every 2 or 3 days seems ok to me, just vary the diet and go crustacean-heavy

Thanks for the reply. It seems to have settled down on one rock. What do you mean by crustacean heavy? Should I buy crabs, I have some snails in there, can he eat them or when he grows more?

If you can add some PVC under the rock and sand so you have some ready made eel tunnels. It will hang out there most of the time then and you will have less risk of your rock being toppled as the eel gets bigger and roots around under the rocks.

Thanks! Would be be good for now under a rock, I will def put some pvc. How fast do they grow?

 

[Josh_Canada]

^if the food and tank is bountiful, it will grow like a weed. My buddies grew 6" in 15ish months time with ample food and room to grow.

 

[hotrodolds]

^if the food and tank is bountiful, it will grow like a weed. My buddies grew 6" in 15ish months time with ample food and room to grow.

they definitely grow very quick. Mine is on a diet of krill, shrimp and silver sides.

 

[Josh_Canada]

i would reccomend something 'crunchy' (inverts), it's not as detrimental as for puffers with their teeth, but your eel will definelty benefit.

 

[rubensito]

Thanks for the reply. It seems to have settled down on one rock. What do you mean by crustacean heavy? Should I buy crabs, I have some snails in there, can he eat them or when he grows more?



Thanks! Would be be good for now under a rock, I will def put some pvc. How fast do they grow?

I mean basically more shrimp, crab, shellfish than silversides and fish. Although when I've kept SFE I did feed silversides and lancefish, but I would make sure the majority of feedings were crustacean based, as my understanding is that is their typical main food source in nature

 

[samdaman]

^if the food and tank is bountiful, it will grow like a weed. My buddies grew 6" in 15ish months time with ample food and room to grow.

nice! /i would like to watch it grow!

they definitely grow very quick. Mine is on a diet of krill, shrimp and silver sides.

do u use freeze dried or frozen krill? do you have pics?

i would reccomend something 'crunchy' (inverts), it's not as detrimental as for puffers with their teeth, but your eel will definelty benefit.

so shell on shrimp and crab bits would be good?

I mean basically more shrimp, crab, shellfish than silversides and fish. Although when I've kept SFE I did feed silversides and lancefish, but I would make sure the majority of feedings were crustacean based, as my understanding is that is their typical main food source in nature

I understand.. I will try and get the optimal diet for him.

 

[palmer373]

how is he doing and is this in your 55 with the white ribbon eel?

 

[samdaman]

how is he doing and is this in your 55 with the white ribbon eel?

hey, he is doing good, I do not have a ribbon eel, he is sharing the tank with my niger, so far they get along. !!