My eel escaped last night...

Grouperhead

Grouperhead

New member
It happened sometime between 130-530am. He was very dry, covered in hair and dust, etc. I threw him back into the tank as soon as I found him knowing that eels are about as hardy as hardy gets. Well, he shed the dried mucous coat, etc. and simply just rested in the place he landed for a while. He's now moved into one of his caves and his breathing has gone back to close to normal. He doesn't seem to be able to lift his head tough, it's just laying on the sand gulping. I'm hoping he can make it through the night and recover, but with being out of the tank for at least a couple hours could he be brain damaged? Don't want to lose the guy, just got him a few days ago. Anyone who went through something similar have any advice? The tank lights been turned off all day but I just flipped it on. It's a banded moray, E. polyzona btw.
 
I hope he makes it.

I'm not sure I can be much help but I did have an eel escape once through a tiny opening in the canopy. You really have to have it air tight. They are so curious and will search for any opening. I was home when mine escaped and I watched as he slithered all the way across my living room floor. It was crazy how far he went on the hardwood. He was fine but it was only like a minute or so that he was out.

As for brain damage, I have often wondered about this. I know being exposed to ammonia for long periods of time can cause brain damage and I would think being out of the tank could too. Luckily, eels are very tough and can survive some pretty amazing things. I have heard of an eel being out of a tank for about 5 hours and after a few days it was back to normal, so there is hope. Im sure hes just recovering.

Was he completely dry when you found him? Were his gills at least a little damp? I know they can still get oxygen out of the air if their gills are still wet.

Anyways, not much help but keep us posted and good luck!
 
Yeah, he got out through about a .5" crack (or less.) To be honest, I can't really tell you how wet his gills/body was when I found him. He's slowed down his breathing to a somwewhat steady state (still faster than normal), but his head is still just laying on the sand somewhat crookedly. I know eels can survive darn near anything, but I just have a bad feeling about this one. I'll keep everyone updated.
 
had a snowflake ell. One Sunday I woke up around 8:00am and could not find him anywhere in the tank. I had to leave for an appointment so I told my wife to look everywhere. I got back around 11:30 and still couldn't find anywhere, no even on the floor.

I new I had to find him or I'll have a rotting dead fish on my hands somewhere. I ended up noticing some dry wet marks in back of the tank. He got out and crawled inside of this crown molding I added. there was a small hole. I tore off the molding expecting to find a dead eel. As soon as I saw him he moved a little. So I threw him in the tank and he was fine after a few days. No problem, went back to his normal self. He was out about 4-5hrs.
 
I'm hoping mine can come back. I'm estimating he was out of the tank a solid 3 hours. He was pretty much just stuck to the hardwood floor about 6" from the tank. Hopefully he'll come to, it's a painful waiting game to see if he'll recover.
 
My Snowflake Eel escaped a few years ago, I figured he must have been ut around 6-8 hours, put him back in the tank, he was still alive, he didn't eat for almost 2 weeks, but is perfectly fine now. So expect he might not eat for a while while he rcovers from the shock.
 
He looks a lot better this morning. No head laying on sand, just hiding in the rocks being a little shy. I'm not going to even attempt to feed him until Monday, so that'll give him some time to chill too. Thanks for all the encouragement folks, I appreciated it greatly.
 
i lost my snowflake eel as well
they leap and jump everywhere..found him under my couch, who knows how long he was there! glass lids keep them in ..wouldnt rely on a canopy considering mine is open in some spots. weird though i didnt know of puttin them back in the tank!
 
Well, the eel was out of his cave and looking very active and healthy this afternoon :) . Fed the grouper and coris some mysis and directed some toward the eel. He scooped up as many pieces as he could before the grouper began snapping them up. Tried offering krill, but he wanted none of it. At least he's eating though.
 
Great news! Im really glad to hear hes doing so well. Its amazing what these guys can survive. Always worth throwing them back in the tank...
 
Didn't I teach you ANYTHING!! LOL!
Glad the eel is doing well. When I kept my snowflake, I had the entire top covered. I learned they can get out of even the smallest openings. Now go seal up that top!
 
It slipped threw a 0.5inch hole?! lol how big is the eel and no i dont think he has brain damage maybe he/she is still shook from the whole experience. Anyhow try giving live food for it.
 
Hopefully he learned a valuable lesson and won't attempt this again. (yeah right ha, ha) I have had a snowflake eel for around a year now and he doesn't attemp escape anymore. There are a few spots now in the top where he could get out but doesn't. Feed him well and he will settle in and be less adventerous.
 
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