Ribbon Eels, anyone tried these???

[moppy]

I was looking at getting a ribbon eel but have heard they aren't the easiest eel to keep. Has anyone tried? ANy success?

I was looking specifically at the black ribbon eel.

Also, are they reef safe?

Do you know of any eels that are? (ie... won't eat shrimp etc...)

thanks

 

[irishrose302]

ribbon eels are very difficult to keep. The biggest hurdle is getting them to eat and to keep eating in captivity.

Your signature suggests that you may be new to the hobby, a snowflake may be a better choice pending age, size of your tank.

 

[soyadrink]

I think the most "reef safe" eel is probably the hawaiian golden dwarf eel. can be a bit spendy but they are beautiful!

 

[irishrose302]

forgot about the dwarf golden eel. Good call.

our lfs has one, it is very beautiful and expensive.

 

[fishkid6692]

are golden dwarf eels completely reef safe? no risk at all?

 

[irishrose302]

they are fond of shrimp but I imagine that if it were kept fed well it may not eat them.

 

[fishkid6692]

what about fish?

 

[irishrose302]

typically safe with small fish

 

[fishkid6692]

where can i get one? and what size tank do they need? how big do they get? lol sorry for all the questions!

 

[soyadrink]

they dont get too big. I think they dont even get as big as the snowflakes but still not sure how big.
There is a great Hawaiian collector I know that normally sells them for about 125$
dont know if this too much for you?
here is the link to the website: wetpetshawaii.com
its not set up properly yet but just call him. He's a nice guy.

 

[ladyshark]

looks like liveaquaria.com has one

 

[LukFox]

They get 7-12" and really only need a 20 gallon.

The one on LiveAquaria is really, really overpriced for that brown color. I don't know why, but LA has really been pricing things outrageously lately- even more so than usual.

My dwarf ate my pistol shrimp, and I wouldn't except them to pass up small gobies. Other than that, they're basically reef safe. Larger cleaners, blood shrimp, coral banded shrimp, etc, are likely safe. Their mouths are small.

 

[ultimate125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12310682#post12310682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LukFox


The one on LiveAquaria is really, really overpriced for that brown color. I don't know why, but LA has really been pricing things outrageously lately- even more so than usual.

I totally agree!

 

[ladyshark]

I also agree--its unfortunate, since liveaquaria is otherwise so reputable--I would love to pick up that pretty "banana" eel (G. miliaris, yellow morph)--$500 is a bit pricey for a fish. Saltwaterfish.com had one for $250--