Moray suggestions

[SkinnyPete]

Beginning a FOWLR 210 gallon w/50 gallon sump set-up. It just finished cycling.

I'm planning on

Porc Puffer
Pair of Blue Throat Triggers
Large angel (undecided which at this time)
Naso Tang
and possibly 2-3 schooling banner fish (heard porc puffer may nip at trailing fin so these may have to be dropped)

I've always had an eel of some kind in my tanks. I've had a jeweled, dwarf golden, a snowflake, and a couple zebras in my day. I've had a lot of luck with the zebras, dwarf golden, and snowflakes with other fish. I've never had one go after fish on me. I'm looking for something different (but not a dwarf golden). If I add an eel at all, this time around I want it to be one I've never kept and not one you see all the time.

Two that I've been looking at are the Goldentail (Gymnothorax miliaris) and the Honeycomb (tesselata). The honeycomb, I think, gets about 6' - so this guy may be a little too much for my tank. I read different things about its aggression though. The Goldentail looks like he might be perfect - reaching only 2' - again, I read completely conflicting things about its aggression. Some say very docile, some say one of the "meaner" of the small eels.

Anyway, with all relatively big fish in this tank, is there any eel OTHER than the zebra, dwarf golden, or snowflake that I could get away with? I'm not really too concerned with cost so if the goldentail is the way to go and I can be patient until one becomes available. I just want something different.

Thanks all.

 

[LisaD]

Duplicate post, sorry

 

[LisaD]

nix the tesselata, it will go after your fish. I haven't kept the goldentail, but they are beautiful, and seem ideal. I also have a 210. I have a Brazilian dragon moray. It tops out at around 24-30 inches. It IS a piscivore, so would go after small fish. I have it with a pink tail Hawaiian trigger (5-6"), a dogface puffer (4-5 inches), an Australian harlequin tuskfish (5"), a black tipped grouper (7-8") and a large zebra moray (3.5+ feet).

The BDM has never bothered these fish, except to face off over food. It is out a lot more than the zebra. If has a cool "crest" and "horns" and nice coloration. You don't see them all that much, and it has, IMO, an unusual and elegant look. These eels aren't cheap. but they don't break the bank, either ($130-$250 is common).

Here's a pic from Atlantis Aquarium's web site:

 

[SkinnyPete]

So, I know eels are always a risk because you never know. But, as a basic rule - would you recommend this eel with my fish list? I ask because it just so happens my lfs got one in last week. I saw it on Saturday and thought it looked fantastic. I thought they got bigger than 30" though and I also thought they were extremely aggressive. I would totally grab this guy if he'd get along with my other guys.

Also, would it be risky to add this guy first? If so, I'd have to stock my tank and get him way down the road if one becomes available.

Thanks.

 

[Grouperhead]

If you can find a goldentail, get it. IMO they are the best looking eel out there and a great fit for your tank. Tessy's are great too, but they really need to be kept by themselves. I kept an 18" tessy for a friend for about 6 months (he was moving and getting a bigger tank) and he was awesome to keep. If you have the funds and devotion to start a tank solely for one, it's worth it.

 

[SkinnyPete]

Well, I have 2 fish stores within 2 miles of my house. One has a goldentail, but it hasn't "eaten" in the 3 months its been there. The other store has a brazilian dragon, but I really can't find much info on this particular species ( I believe Muraena pavonina ?) so I'm a little nervous about it.

I would have grabbed the golden already but the owner says he's only eaten fiddler crabs. I brought in some seafood shrimp and he wasn't interested. He's getting a little thin. I may stop by tomorrow with some scallops, squid, and clam meat.

Anyone have opinions on the brazilian dragon in relation to my above fish list?

 

[splateee]

I would worry about not eating for 3 months, that is a little long. Eels will stop eating but generally not for very long periods. I had a Goldentail for over a year and it ate every other day or so and then it just stopped for no reason. I would not anything i tried and it passed on. Currently we have 2 x Snowflakes and a Barred eel. The Barred eel is almost like a Zebra in size and personality.

 

[SkinnyPete]

Nah, I'm probably going to stay away from the goldentail because of his (lack of) eating habits.

But, I may stop by the shop that has the Muraena pavonina and ask a few questions. I have a hunch since I found no info on this guy, that the owner will know as much as I do.

 

[SkinnyPete]

So yesterday I snatched up the Brazilian Dragon Moray. I couldn't resist. This guy was so cool looking. He quickly became the priority on my fish list. So, I'll build the tank around HIM rather than vice versa.

I'll post pics when he's done digging out all his burrows and caves. My tank has been a dust storm all day.

 

[LisaD]

Pete,

You'll like yours, if it's anything like mine. Looking forward to your pics.

 

[SkinnyPete]

Here's a really short clip of him going from one cave I made FOR him to some random rock that he's insisting on digging under...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujv_9N1y2qs

 

[ultimate125]

cool video!
he moves fast!
:rollface:

 

[LisaD]

nice markings! I predict he'll settle down. you might try putting some PVC tubes under some rocks so he'll have shelter without digging.

 

[Grouperhead]

Sweet eel dude. I don't mind digging too much, so I don't use pvc for my eel. Just make sure any large rock formations are stable.

Let's see a feeding vid too

 

[SkinnyPete]

Yeah, it should be cool. As I said, I've had eels before and I put a bunch of base rock on the glass before filling with sand and then set large rocks on top specifically for eel digging. It's just that I gave extra effort to build cozy tunnels and caves for an eel but of course he's going to just dig it where he wants it. Like a child playing with the box that an expensive toy came in.

 

[myerst2]

Hey Pete it seems we have the same taste in eels. Definately do not get a Tessy unless that is the only fish you want. I have a Golden tail, Dwarf, and Snowflake. The Goldentail is definately the most aggressive but a ***** cat compared to a Tessy. Here's some pics of my eels. Since I had the dwarf already I wanted a Golden tail with the gold body and blacks spots instead of the mostly Brazilian yellow one. Good luck with your tank!!! Regards, Tim