small eels

[importfan878]

what eel would be best for my 40 breeder, also can i keep corals and bigger fish with them?


-Ghost Eel
(Uropterygius concolor)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1737

-Snowflake Eel
(Echidna nebulosa)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=131

-Spaghetti Eel
(Moringa microchir)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1738

i kind of like the ghost eel the most

 

[phoenix]

The snowflake would get too big for your tank. I am not familiar with the other 2 eels. You could keep other fish and corals with eels but many eels will may push over rock work and may ambush other fish. You need to also be aware that the eels can generate significant waste so you need to have good filtration and a skimmer. I have had the best success with the golden moray in my reef but they are pricey. Also. most eels are great escape artists so you need to make sure you have a secure tank top

 

[OnTheReef]

I love my snowflake eel, really cool fish! Just be aware that they get BIG! I have seen them up to 6 feet long in the Carribean. They are also very messy eaters and produce significant fish poop, as phoenix rightly points out. I vacuum the tank bottom once or twice a week. So far, he is not a problem with any of my live rock or corals, however, I made sure to put in lots of live rock that's full of holes for him.

 

[donfishy76]

Snowflakes are not from the carribean and they do not get to 6 feet. The biggest they get is 3 feet and not many get that big, ...

 

[epicentyr]

a snowflake in a 40 breeder would be fine for a few years. however they will eventually become the only fish in the tank.

 

[reverendmaynard]

Here's an article from WWM. Link

It seems fish should not be a problem, but crabs and shrimp will be expensive snacks.

A small one will work for a while, but no eel is really recommended for that size tank.

This is only one article, and I encourage you to do more research (a simple google search on "snowflake eel" returns over 100,000 hits), because, as you can see in this thread, opinions vary, and many are based on incorrect information.

 

[Paintbug]

i would go with ghost eel if thats the one you like. they dont get much bigger than 1 1/2' long. i wouldnt add to many shrimp or small fish in there, unless you have tons of money for replacements i have seen some dwarf eels but they are in the $200+ price range.

 

[importfan878]

any1 else?

 

[GSchiemer]

Here's a link to an article I wrote a few years ago on the White Ribbon Eel, which I believe is the best choice for a smaller aquarium. This appears to be the same fish that Live Aquaria is selling as the "Ghost Eel:"

White Ribbon Eel