Baby zebra eel not so reefsafe

[bkwonnn]

Hi Guys,

Wanted to get a eel for a long time. Decided to go for zebra.
Had it for 2 days but allready 2 Shrimps missing! No problems before that.

Im pretty shocked because the eel is so super tiny (see pictures). Do you guys think this size is able to devour 2 average sized shrimps ???

 

[ryanjohn1]

I mean it is a predator so

 

[bkwonnn]

True! But I heard so many stories of people with zebras that behaved like vegans I wasn’t expecting this from such a small zebra

 

[Fish Styx]

True! But I heard so many stories of people with zebras that behaved like vegans I wasn’t expecting this from such a small zebra

"I had been to the circus so many times and saw how well the lions behaved, I never thought I'd be mauled when I jumped the fence at the zoo..."

 

[bkwonnn]

Yeah but a baby lion eating an elephant ?!?

 

[bkwonnn]

2 elephants!!

 

[ryanjohn1]

Hungry boy

 

[Fish Styx]

The inevitable, here, happened sooner rather than later. Sorry for your loss(es). I would consider finding a new home for the eel, unless you want to convert to a predator tank.

 

[bkwonnn]

I will see how this story develops! For now I’ll keep this little Jeffrey dahmer eel

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Two thoughts:

First, is it possible the shrimp are just hiding or molting?

Second, can we get a full tank shot and some info on the tank (such as its dimensions)? I ask because I can only see one big rock in the pics, and that doesn't seem like it would give things a lot of space to hide (and if easy prey like shrimp can't hide with a predator around, chances of them getting eaten would likely go way up).

 

[Mr_Knightley]

Zebra eels are invertebrate specialists, so I'm not totally surprised. They still shouldn't attack any fish, snails or hermits, but any unprotected invert is fair game. Adults have been known to even eat urchins.

 

[bkwonnn]

Two thoughts:

First, is it possible the shrimp are just hiding or molting?

Second, can we get a full tank shot and some info on the tank (such as its dimensions)? I ask because I can only see one big rock in the pics, and that doesn't seem like it would give things a lot of space to hide (and if easy prey like shrimp can't hide with a predator around, chances of them getting eaten would likely go way up).

I hope this!

 

[lion king]

I really don't get it!

 

[bkwonnn]

1 shrimp has returned so there is the slightest change it’s al coincidence and it’s no Jeffrey dahmer eel but a vegan

 

[littlefoxx]

True! But I heard so many stories of people with zebras that behaved like vegans I wasn’t expecting this from such a small zebra

Oh yeah shrimp and crabs are no nos with eels! Lol. Reef safe in terms of corals yes. Inverts will be eaten. One of mine ate a cleaner wrasse!

 

[Alexraptor]

Reminds me of a fatal mistake I made during my first years in the hobby.

This was my first Pistol Shrimp.

This was my first, impulsively bought, snowflake moray.

The very next day, I suddenly had two pistol shrimps... Or to express it in mathematical terms:

1 moray + 1 shrimp = 1 moray + 2 * 0.5 shrimp

Moral of the story is, the shrimp was far too big for this juvenile to eat, but that didn't stop him from just killing it. I would definitely recommend returning the eel if you're not prepared to skip keeping invertebrates, and factor into your decision that Zebra's also get pretty big as they can grow to a length up to 1.5 meters.

 

[exnisstech]

Zebra morays are cool. I had one over 30 inches long untill a Picasso trigger started picking on it and it stopped eating. Funny thing is it didn't bother the cleaner shrimp in the tank and I don't think it ate any snails and hermits. I wouldn't have been surprised if it did though. It did try to eat my finger once. I'm glad it was a blunt tooth eel.

 

[littlefoxx]

Zebra morays are cool. I had one over 30 inches long untill a Picasso trigger started picking on it and it stopped eating. Funny thing is it didn't bother the cleaner shrimp in the tank and I don't think it ate any snails and hermits. I wouldn't have been surprised if it did though. It did try to eat my finger once. I'm glad it was a blunt tooth eel.

Yes be glad… my fang tooth got me on the little finger about 2 weeks ago! Hurt like a SOB. Lol. How big was your picasso when it started picking on the eel? I have a very small baby picasso now, fully aware she could become a huge PITA and need to be removed. Just curious!

 

[bkwonnn]

I’m keeping him 4 sure!

 

[exnisstech]

Yes be glad… my fang tooth got me on the little finger about 2 weeks ago! Hurt like a SOB. Lol. How big was your picasso when it started picking on the eel? I have a very small baby picasso now, fully aware she could become a huge PITA and need to be removed. Just curious!

The Picasso was only about 3 inches. It was a cool little fish but dang was it a jerk. He would chase 6 & 7 inch tangs away from the nori clip. I lost him to velvet so I didn't get to see if he would mellow or get worse with age. I have a hunch it would have been the later. Kinda sucked because it was one of the first saltwater fish I fell in love with in the lfs as a child. My first one wasn't as bad but I lost it to a hoddoni. I guess a Picasso just isn't in the cards.