Ribbon Eel???

[hawaiifavo]

I have been looking at getting a ribbon eel. Ever since I saw one at my LFS come out an eat and then swim back into its home I have been fascinated by them.

I have read that they can get anywhere from 30"-50" in length. Several websites say they need a 75G tank min (seems small to me).

I have a 5ft 120G 18 month old reef tank with a 1"-2" sand bed with the following fish:

x4 Lyre Tail Anthias
x2 B&W ocellaris clownfish
McCosker FW
Helfrichi firefish
YWG
Bi color angelfish
Femail Belus angelfish
Cherub angelfish
Marine Betta
Juvenile aussie HT
Blue blue/green chromis

Here is my tank so far:

I'm looking to re-house the following fish in one of my other tanks or in a friends new 125G reef tank in exchange:

Helfrichi firefish
2-4 lyre tail anthias
blue green chromis
McCosker FW
Kole Tang

I'm also fully prepared to add more live rock to create a home for the potential RE.

My water parameters as of 2/18 are:

Nitrates = 0.5
Phosphates = 8.43
CA = 450 ppm
Mag = 1200 mg/Lt
Alk = 8.5 dKh
Salinity = 1.026
Temp as of 7pm = 77.4
pH as of 7pm = 8.43

Anybody who has experience with ribbon eels have any thoughts on me adding one to my tank and what steps/additional steps I should take to accommodate him?

Thanks

 

[Deinonych]

Their survival rate in captivity is extremely low. IMO, this is a fish best left in the ocean.

 

[Daniel62]

Yes, they are very tough to get eating.

 

[Spork3245]

Awesome looking eel, would love one, even the (rarer) black and white variety. However, as Deinonych mentioned, they have a very low survival rate in home aquaria unfortunately and it's one of the major reasons I never got one... That and I'd imagine it'll try to eat most of my smaller fish

 

[Jonvo324]

I had one a few months ago. It was one of my favorite things I ever bought. BUT unfortunately it never ate in my tank because it jumped (or I guess slithered) out of my tank even though my tank is covered. There was a tiny hole in the back corner for a wire. So if you do get one make sure your tank is securely covered. Also ribbon eels might also try to eat fish that are "goby" shaped. Mine tried to eat a molly I had. They have an extremely low survival rate and I wouldn't recommend buying one unless you are for sure capable of meeting its needs.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Your phosphates are 8.43??

 

[DLreef]

Same, did some research on them a while back. Seems like they are a pain in every way.
Doesn't d2mini have one?

 

[splix]

Do it!
haha. I only say that because I know the exact ribbon eel he's talking about. It's been eating while in the LFS. It was swimming around and looked amazing. I even inquired about it. The only reason I didnt get it is because i have 3 gobies and my 2 clowns are still juvenile.
That guy is definitely an "OMG thats awesome!" factor to a reef.

 

[hawaiifavo]

Your phosphates are 8.43??

Yeah, that was a type-o. With Elos its undetectable or 0.025ppm at the very most

 

[hawaiifavo]

Yeah, I have seen it eating mysis and raw shrimp without hesitation and it looks great.

I'm not worried about the not eating factor at this point - having said that, that might change in my tank you just never know with these things. Its more my tank size, current setup and inhabitants - what will/wont be suitable for it.

 

[Jonvo324]

Yeah, I have seen it eating mysis and raw shrimp without hesitation and it looks great.



I'm not worried about the not eating factor at this point - having said that, that might change in my tank you just never know with these things. Its more my tank size, current setup and inhabitants - what will/wont be suitable for it.

If I were you and the ribbon eel was eating I would buy it right away. Having a ribbon eel is such a big hurdle and if it already eats, it'll be easier to care for. Just remember to cover your tank.

Oh and your other tank inhabitants seem fine. At least from my experience it seems fine

 

[hawaiifavo]

I had one a few months ago. It was one of my favorite things I ever bought. BUT unfortunately it never ate in my tank because it jumped (or I guess slithered) out of my tank even though my tank is covered. There was a tiny hole in the back corner for a wire. So if you do get one make sure your tank is securely covered. Also ribbon eels might also try to eat fish that are "goby" shaped. Mine tried to eat a molly I had. They have an extremely low survival rate and I wouldn't recommend buying one unless you are for sure capable of meeting its needs.

I have a roll top canopy with screen top covers (like the ones BRS sell). Will the screen covers be good enough to hold him in your opinion?

 

[Jonvo324]

I have a roll top canopy with screen top covers (like the ones BRS sell). Will the screen covers be good enough to hold him in your opinion?

I have a screen top too. I believe it's be enough to hold him. But I had a small opening because of a wire so if you have a way of covering any wire holes I think your fine. If your worried maybe keep something heavy on it so it doesn't try to push the screen. Maybe for a few days/weeks until it gets comfortable.

I envy the fact that you have an opportunity to buy a eating ribbon eel. Good luck.

 

[Jonvo324]

Ribbon Eel???

Also if you buy it can post pics or videos of it eating. That would be something nice to see. Could you maybe ask your LFS how they got it to eat because any info is good

 

[T Haynes]

Am I wrong in thinking that eels eat fish? Seems like a species only type

 

[hawaiifavo]

Also if you buy it can post pics or videos of it eating. That would be something nice to see. Could you maybe ask your LFS how they got it to eat because any info is good

Yeah that's a great idea. I may go back tomorrow and see if I can get a video of it eating. Here is a pic of it in the mean time.

 

[Jonvo324]

Yeah that's a great idea. I may go back tomorrow and see if I can get a video of it eating. Here is a pic of it in the mean time.

If you are going to get it. I would either go super early to buy it or put it on hold. An eel like that won't stay there for long. Lol

 

[hawaiifavo]

I have a screen top too. I believe it's be enough to hold him. But I had a small opening because of a wire so if you have a way of covering any wire holes I think your fine. If your worried maybe keep something heavy on it so it doesn't try to push the screen. Maybe for a few days/weeks until it gets comfortable.

I envy the fact that you have an opportunity to buy a eating ribbon eel. Good luck.

This is my setup - think the egg crate will hold him?

Well, that's the thing. Its been there for over 2 weeks now. Not sure why its still there.

 

[Jonvo324]

This is my setup - think the egg crate will have to go?

I don't see any picture.

 

[Jonvo324]

Oh I see the picture now. I don't know about the egg rate though depending on how big the holes are the eel may be able to pass through. You could maybe attach some of the screen material you have for the cover to eggcrate. That way the eel can't go through the eggcrate.