Taking the leap... eel

[ejdustin]

Well as title says I am taking the leap and I'm adding a Zebra eel to my reef tank. About 5 years ago I had a FOWLR tank and had a few eels, they have always been my favorite but 2 years ago I made the change to a reef. I love my tank now but I have been missing an eel ever sense. I don't think he will be a problem as my fish are all quick and a decent size. I only have one shrimp (blood shrimp) which I am prepared to lose but of course I hope that doesnt happen. He gets here tomorrow morning I can't wait :bounce1:

 

[anaya]

Congratulations! In my opinion the shrimp will most likely be ok as it was established first but we all know how that goes sometimes. Is that type of shrimp considered a cleaner shrimp? Sorry for the shrimp question, I'm just not very familiar with shrimps. Oh and if you can get some pictures of the new Zebra up.

 

[Reef264]

You will be AOK, I have a 3ft Zebra in my reef, multiple Cleaner Shrimps (Blood, Skunk, Coral Banded).Everybody gets along fine.I often find my Fire Shrimp half way down the Eels throat cleaning.They are best friends, the other shrimp ignore him.I have fish as little as 1/2" and they stay in the same cave as him.You probably already know this, I'm almost positive you do, but make sure your rock work is as strong as an Ox.My Eel has been in my reef since before it was a reef, So I guess a Little over a year and a half, the reef wouldn't be the same without him.

Good luck with your Eel!

 

[ejdustin]

Thanks for the comments so far so good. I believe the blood shrimp is considered a cleaner, I know I have seen mine cleaning fish many times, he has already jumped on the zebra and done some work too. The eel (Zeus) is even sharing a cave with some peppermint shrimp that I have to keep my aptasia under control. My rock is as study as can be short if drilling and using rods so no rock slides.

The picture below is from my cell phone but it came out pretty decent... he is great. He ate Saturday shortly after being put into the tank and again yesterday. I hope he starts to come out more though. I know he will stay in his cave almost all of the time but I figured he would atleast have his head out and be looking around. So far he is really tucked away :/ Well I know he will need more time to really adjust to the new tank I just want to see hime more!

 

[Reef264]

Nice looking Eel!I like the name too, I named mine Mervous, he prefers Merv though.How big is he?Mine usually stays tucked in the Rockwork, probably 90% of the time, around 3am in the morning he is usually swimming in open water.Its pretty cool to see.Mine only eats Raw Shrimp, won't even look at anything else.Usually he eats every other day, 3 shrimp per feeding.When mine was a pup (11"), he would only eat 1 shrimp per feeding.

Hope this helps!

-Cody

 

[Hoosierfan]

That is very cool. How big do they get?

 

[ejdustin]

Thank you! Merv is a perfect name for a eel lol. When I had my FOWLR I had a yellow canary eel and the thing was always out but I did have to wait until late night to see a lot of the zebra. He still always had his head out though maybe Zeus will warm up in time. So far I have only fed him raw shrimp and only one piece per meal, I will have to judge his diet more with time. He is 15" right now. I am going to do another feeding tonight and figure I will give him two decent chucks maybe try to make him come out more to get it A full grown zebra can get 5 feet in length, I can't wait I love to see things grow up!

 

[ejdustin]

Well I just got home and Zeus was very bad while I was at work... I found him in the overflow! Good thing I am already use to having eels, I check my over flow atleast twice a day. Anyway got him out and he is doing well and keeping his head out more than yesterday so I'm happy.