zebra eel

[stevenson22]

Would like to have experience advise on the zebra eel.. I understand each fish had it's own temperament but as a whole how are they in a reef ? Also your experience with them and clams housed together? If you could also briefly describe your tank and size.. mine is a 250 dd mixed reef.. thanks

 

[forextrader]

I have a mixed 180 and my zebra eel has not caused any issue with the fish or corals. He devours any and all crabs, clams, shrimp, etc. He does not bother snails, though.

 

[stevenson22]

Crap.. I have three clams.. I have seen them in tanks with clams? I'm not sure if the clams are still alive or not?

 

[forextrader]

I would not risk it if I were you. Clams are expensive and I do not think the eel will thank you for such a pricey meal.

 

[Dmorty217]

A zebra eel won't do a thing to clams. Mine doesn't pay any attention to my clam

 

[SoloChromis]

I have a zebra moray in my 120g reef with tiny fish, and a blood shrimp, and no problems whatsoever (he's roughly 30" long). He won't bother your clams other than maybe slithering over them from time to time. I love my eel :fish1:

 

[stevenson22]

A zebra eel won't do a thing to clams. Mine doesn't pay any attention to my clam

How long have you had them together?

 

[Dmorty217]

How long have you had them together?

Over a year. They don't naturally eat clams for food so there is nothing to worry about. Even a full grown zebra at 5ft long couldn't physically eat a clam, their mouths aren't nearly big enough to eat a clam, even the small aquacultured maximas would be a challenge for a zebra to eat. Again clams aren't a part of their diet. Crabs on the other hand will be devowered. Mine eats raw shrimp and silversides but doesn't bother my peppermint or cleaner shrimp. Also you won't see the eel much unless it's hungry or your tank is setup specially for easier viewing of eels since they usually only have their head out

 

[forextrader]

I feed mine clams on the half shell. They can eat them. I am not sure if they will hunt for them, though.

 

[Dmorty217]

I feed mine clams on the half shell. They can eat them. I am not sure if they will hunt for them, though.

Clams on a half shell is much smaller in comparison to most decorative clams. Plus those are dead and small enough to be eaten.

 

[Betta132]

Isn't a clam on a half shell just a lump of meat that happens to be on top of a clam shell? There's a big difference between that and a clam. Wouldn't a live clam just clamp down and wait for the eel to go away?

 

[Dmorty217]

Isn't a clam on a half shell just a lump of meat that happens to be on top of a clam shell? There's a big difference between that and a clam. Wouldn't a live clam just clamp down and wait for the eel to go away?

Yes and again the clams we are all referring to are much to large to be eaten by a zebra. Some of the eels that get 5ft plus that can cause serious damage to a human if bitten would be the only eels that might try and taste a clam

 

[rfalvey89]

Any known methods on QT?
I am looking at the one on DD but curious on parasites etc.

Thx

 

[Dmorty217]

Any known methods on QT?
I am looking at the one on DD but curious on parasites etc.

Thx

CP, cupramine or TTM would all work for the eel. TTM would be he easiest. You could do it with a couple 5g buckets and a heater. Just don't feed the eel for the 12 days during TTM or feed before you start and resume after you have finished

 

[Megistos]

Personally I wouldn't even worry about QT with eels. They're very hardy and their slime coat makes them very resistant to ectoparasites.

Also be careful about copper-based treatments - morays lack scales and are very sensitive to copper.

 

[Dmorty217]

Eels will still host ich and bring it into your tank if not treated

 

[rfalvey89]

Eels will still host ich and bring it into your tank if not treated

That is what i worry about. I have a 55 gal running with copper at 1.0
I was thinking of a week in that tank with copper raised at 2.0 then a week of prazi. Would that accomplish anything since the ich is typically on the gills? I would like to stray from TTM.

 

[Megistos]

I was thinking of a week in that tank with copper raised at 2.0

Also be careful about copper-based treatments - morays lack scales and are very sensitive to copper.

Also be careful about copper-based treatments - morays lack scales and are very sensitive to copper.

Also be careful about copper-based treatments - morays lack scales and are very sensitive to copper.

 

[jda]

I had one for 4 or 5 years. It was a very good reef fish. It did not eat any tankmates and even had a pair of skunk cleaners live in the hole with it. They get big and eat a lot. Mine would oftentimes hide and not eat for a month or two and then come back out like nothing happened.

They will NOT survive a copper based QT. If you are worried about pests, then choose another fish.

 

[rfalvey89]

That's funny^

Got it. So people with eels in tanks just roll the dice and throw them in?