matt randazzo
New member
hi there I was just wondering if there is an eel that is reef safe and will most likely not eat the cleaner shrimp, or small fish I plan on getting?
(pics would be helpful too...)
(pics would be helpful too...)
reef/invet safe eel?
- Thread starter matt randazzo
- Start date
I have a Snake Eel that was given to me a couple years ago that I slowly built a reef around and he has not caused any havoc, except sometimes annoying the corals as he swims around at feed time. He doesnt touch any fish or inverts at all but he is very well fed. I dont know the specifics of what kind of Snake Eel he is though, if one at all. That's just what the old owners told me. These are some old photos before I redid the tank to reef.
Eric the half-bee
Passer of gasses
You might look at zebra morays and ribbon. I have both in my reef, albeit no shrimp. They are model citizens in regards to small fish(cherub angels, bangaiis, pipefish)
Matt_Wandell
New member
Pseudechidna brummeri aka ghost ribbon eel is (IMO) the best small reef safe eel, and really cool looking to boot. A 30g tank would be fine for one. They should be fine with any fish besides very small and slender fish like firefish or shrimp gobies. Cardinalfish, damsels, etc. should be fine.
IME virtually every species of moray eel will leave cleaner shrimp alone if they are large and introduced after feeding time.
Excellent article by Greg Schiemer on the ghost ribbon eel:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/9/fish1
IDing is unmistakeable. They are the only (available) all white moray eel with a very long and thin body like this. They get no thicker than my pinkie finger even as full grown adults.
IME virtually every species of moray eel will leave cleaner shrimp alone if they are large and introduced after feeding time.
Excellent article by Greg Schiemer on the ghost ribbon eel:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/9/fish1
IDing is unmistakeable. They are the only (available) all white moray eel with a very long and thin body like this. They get no thicker than my pinkie finger even as full grown adults.
BANDIT ANGEL
New member
Garden eels maybe!! hahaha
Monkeyfish
Active member
Matt - Do you have any PVC or specially built caves for the ribbon eel in the tank? I was thinking about putting one in my 180g which I plan on stocking with mostly smaller, less aggressive fish such as anthias, dwarf angels, CBB, etc.
Matt_Wandell
New member
I don't, but you probably should with a dwarf angel in the tank just in case it decides to start nipping at its tail or something. Stranger things have happened. They will find a space amongst the rocks if you don't build a burrow. 1/2" PVC should be perfect. Like any eel, they prefer a tight fitting cave. These guys are generally timid at first but have no problem asserting themselves at feeding time after a couple months.
Please note that this applies to P. brummeri, and not the "true" ribbon eel, Rhinomuraena quaesita. Those are a whole different matter, and I would strongly urge building a PVC burrow for them in all cases.
JM68
New member
There r no truly reef safe eels. I have a golden dwarf moray and he has eaten a few small fish (Psuedos, assessors and a small peppermint hog) He also ate two cleaner shrimp. Needless to say i have stopped buying fish that are small enough to fit in his mouth and dont have any shrimp. Bottom line is eels r predators and they will eat wut they can fit in their mouths. The golden dwarf is the safest because they stay the smallest, but they will eat wut they can fit in their mouths even when well fed.
Monkeyfish
Active member
I did a quick search about ghost ribbon eels in the reef fish forum and came up with mixed opinions... as usual. I think JM68 is correct though; there are no guarantees. Too bad. I would have liked one, but don't want to risk my anthias or shrimp becoming dinner.
xxtriggermanxx
New member
could always go with an engineer goby . closest thing to an eel without the eel worries. plus not big jumpers. at least in my experience. had mine in with shrimp, crabs, small fish, 0 issues ....... other than the constant earth moving 
Eric the half-bee
Passer of gasses
My zebra moray or blue ribbon have never bothered anything except crustaceans, what they prey upon. I'd bet there are anecdotal reports of zebras eating fish but mine shows no interest whatsoever.
DoubleM 10
Active member
I have a ghost ribbon and he is awesome. Down not bother a fly. His mouth is to small to attack anything really. Mine is about 2.5ft long right now. Wouldn't trade him. Very interesting animal to watch eat and really cool to watch him move
Monkeyfish
Active member
Double M - what kind of fish are in the tank with the ghost ribbon eel?
I know this tread is old but i still like to say i have had a snake eel for two years and absolutely love him. He has never eaten a fish, and i have plenty of smaller fish including a pinkbar gobie. Has lived with plenty of shrimp and crabs will eat any shrimp thats a peppermint or smaller so i just stick with cleaners blood and banded.
