Old snowflake moray eel's skin seems to be peeling. Ideas?

[Frostyeel]

He is at least 19, and probably 20 years old by now. I don't think this is a disease. It's probably a health condition caused by his age, but I'm still curious if anyone knows exactly what is going on.

It was hard to photograph the white patches in the second photo because they are so white that they were blown out in every photo I took. I guess what I'm mostly concerned about is whether this is just a part of the gradual process of again or if this means he's gonna kick the bucket soon. This started a few weeks ago, and he seems to be acting pretty normally. I know not many people have experience with elderly eels but I thought I would give it a try anyway. So, any ideas?

 

[RBU1]

I would post in the aggressive forum. There are some eel people in there.....

 

[scubasteve06]

That is incredible that he is that old. I think he is getting the old man wrinkly skin and balls syndrome lol...have you had him all this years or do you know where he came from if you didn't? I just got one the other day and I've never been more fascinated by anything more than this mindless eel that I have.

 

[curlykid]

O.O ???? 20 years?!!!?!!!?!!! waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah?

 

[Frostyeel]

Well he passed away this morning. It has been about two months since the skin condition appeared so I believe that was probably just due to old age. Some posters on the aggressive fish board suggested nutrition as a cause, and while I'm sure with better nutrition he could have lasted longer I think he was getting an adequate diet. For most of his life he ate a mix of shrimp, squid, and octopus, although in his old age he started to heavily prefer shrimp.

My dad bought him 19 and a half years ago, and because of the long larval stage he was probably at least a half year old when he arrived in the LFS. I think the most amazing thing to think about is how many tankmates he has had throughout his life. Many didn't last very long at all, while a good number survived a few years, and a couple survived for 5+. I don't know how aware of the other fish he ever was, as he seemed to ignore them for the most part. And yet he still acted as a sort of gentle guardian. He was almost constantly sharing his caves with one or more of the downtrodden members of the tank: the fish who were targets of bullying by clownfish or wrasse or triggers but who could take refuge near the Snowflake.





Just thought I would share this in case anyone was interested.

 

[Giglamesh]

how large was it? i dont know if there like snakes in that the keep growning there whole life

 

[Frostyeel]

He stopped growing many years ago so I don't think that morays are like snakes in that. He was a little over 2 feet long.

 

[dockery07]

I am very sorry for your loss.