Tank mate for my ribbon eel reef?

[t to the maxx2]

I have a 45 gallon reef(well, in the process of becoming a reef), and I was wondering what types of tank mates I can throw in there.
Currently my stock list is:
(1) 36inch blue ribbon eel- MY CENTERPIECE
(1) Coral banded shrimp
(1 or 2) emerald crabs, depending on if they are both eaten, I see one right now.
(10-15) Hermit crabs
(10-15) snails


What else can I add? I would prefer something relatively large and visible. I just do not want to harm my eel, and I don't want to give him a 30+ dollar meal.
Thanks
Danny

 

[MrMexReefer]

Is it one of those corner tanks? My mom has that tank... ive never really seen anyone else on here with a 45 corner tank. It would be nice to see what theirs look like. Got any full tank pics?

 

[t to the maxx2]

No, Mine i a 45 rectangle.

I think it is 36longx24 tallx12 wide or something close to that

 

[t to the maxx2]

 

[t to the maxx2]

That clown is MIA, presumed eaten.

 

[MrMexReefer]

that sucks... i have softspot for clowns. The eel is PIMP tho. Ahh i see your tank isnt a corner tank (i personally hate my moms tank). Your tank looks sweet tho! Have you done any research about adding other eels? Snowflake eels are cool.

 

[t to the maxx2]

Not adding any other eels, I feel the tank may be to small. We also have a tessaleta eel in our other tank.

 

[Illuminati]

Well I did a search for blue ribbon eels.

Tons of posts on them.

1 person claims they kept a firefish with their Blue Ribbon Eel
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=580340&highlight=blue+ribbon+eel+firefish


There is a huge tank with Angels and Tangs & a ribbon eel in this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...age=25&highlight=blue ribbon eel&pagenumber=1


And the usual 9,728 posts saying don't buy this fish

The main theme was not to have aggressive tank mates that will fight the eel for food.
Saw a few posts that said you can acclimate a freshwater mollie (have to acclimate to saltwater slowly for over 4 hours) and keep them in the same tank. That's not a bad idea because in saltwater mollies are great algae eaters. Plus they will lay eggs and reproduce, free food for the eel for when he gets bored and wants some moving prey.

OMG, it's after midnight. I've been reading up on these eels for the last 45 minutes

 

[t to the maxx2]

WOW!!!! Thanks much colin! I will be reading those for a while. I wish I could use the search feature, never works for me.

 

[Illuminati]

Gotta be a premium member or try it in the middle of the night.

If you ever want something searched shoot me a PM.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I had someone do a search for me & when she sent me the link, it didn't work till the middle of the night.

 

[MrMexReefer]

yeah... search NEVER works for me. Too bad im too poor to pay to be a premium member. haha

 

[hansnfrans]

Use the "search tools" on the left-hand side of the RC homepage....always works.

 

[G13]

I also have a 45 gallon tank with the same dimensions.

Ribbon eel is 36" in size seems pretty big for a 45 gallon. How thick is the eel?

 

[t to the maxx2]

Not very thick at all, maybe 2 pencils tall

 

[G13]

Cool......how long do they usually grow and how thick do they get fully grown?

 

[t to the maxx2]

Just bought an arrow crab, so we will see if it lives. I bought him from old orchard aquarium, great prices and selection, and tons of help.

 

[hansnfrans]

Inverts and eels don't mix well.

 

[MrMexReefer]

t ti the maxx2, i agree about the selection and help... but prices... ugh... not so much. I find that they want to charge like $20 even for the smallest frag of anything! just an opinion tho... for prices, i go to Coral Reef.