Snowflake Eel not eating

[ahebert923]

We have a Snowflake Eel who is approximately 2 years old and 18-20 inches long. He refuses to eat ANYTHING! We have feed him brine shrimp, frozen shrimp and now squid. This has been going on for a few months now and he is just starting to look skinnier. I have tried to research it and have found information on vitamin deficiency and have not tried soaking his food because he won't touch it anyway. Our water parameters are all normal.

At first we thought it was because we added a few new fish (a blenny, a few peppermint shrimp, and a sailfin tang) but they seem to get along well now and he still will not eat.

The only thing that is different is that the peppermint shrimp like to follow the Eel around. Could this cause his stress?

Any other ideas? All are welcome...

 

[andrenym00]

Try silversides and maybe frozen krill. I've heard of eels going on hunger strikes before.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, eels do go on hunger strikes. Back in the days (I no longer keep them) I found that the best tempter was fresh squid (fed on a feeding stick)

 

[ahebert923]

I've been trying to feed him squid for a week now and he will look at it and turn his head. Hopefully he will stop being fussy soon and realize he needs to eat.

 

[snorvich]

There is an eel expert on the board: syrinx You might ask him for help.

 

[kripas]

i feed mine with whole shrimp on a stick

 

[ahebert923]

We have fed him shrimp using a pair of grabbers most of his life. Now I'm not sure if he is on a hunger strike or vitamin deficient.

And if he is vitamin deficient I'm not sure how to get him the vitamins he needs if he refuses to eat.