Eels in a reef aquarium...we need to talk this through!

[RobMcC]

I have had two golden dwarf morays in a full reef tank for about 5 months now. There are many small anthias, flasher and fairy wrasses. So far no problems. Also just to echo, golden dwarfs do love to eat clams!

I had ribbon eels last year, but I just couldn't get them to eat and they died after a month or so.

 

[Punksboops]

My G.Miliaris in my 350 gallon reef

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

I had a Tessalata about 12 years ago but and he was awesome. It was a predator tank though. I'm hoping to get another one once I get my new 90 established but I have not done any research. Does anyone have experience with a Tessalata in a reef tank?

Here's a pic of a California Moray I took while diving locally about 12 years ago, just for kicks.

 

[Amps Reef Life]

I have had two golden dwarf morays in a full reef tank for about 5 months now. There are many small anthias, flasher and fairy wrasses. So far no problems. Also just to echo, golden dwarfs do love to eat clams!

I had ribbon eels last year, but I just couldn't get them to eat and they died after a month or so.

Confirmed they love clam! lol

That's good to know because I never would of expected that. I wonder if most of the eels we keep would go after a clam.

That's a good thought I wonder if other eels are like this.

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

I tried a snowflake but it escaped a 10 gallon QT tank I had it in with a full hood that was taped down and all openings were taped over. Found him dried out behind the tank. Tried putting him back in after seeing people say they survived but no such luck. To this day couldn't tell you where it got out.

Haven't tried again since.

Is that indentation in the middle front of the top possibly a untaped feeding door?

 

[Huff747]

Is that indentation in the middle front of the top possibly a untaped feeding door?

It is. It could have escaped from there but I would have thought if it did I would have seen some sort of salt/slime trail on the top since it ended up behind the tank but the top was clean.

 

[Jason Coy]

Confirmed they love clam! lol



That's a good thought I wonder if other eels are like this.

Good to know. Maybe somebody else will chime in that has experience with this as well with other eels. I want to set up a larger Macro display tank / fuge with eels and maybe sprinkle a soft coral like a toadstool here and there. I was considering a clam as well since they would probably appreciate dirtier water since they filter feed but maybe I'm wrong and would be an expensive meal if it didn't work out.

 

[jda]

My apologies if this was posted already:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-12/fm/index.php

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

All fun and games till your 5 foot moray chomps down on your hand when you’re trying to do a water change... LOL

 

[User1]

I guess you mean the green wolf eel; I've never seen one of those before, had to look it up.
Also called the carpet eel blenny, even though it's not a blenny either.

Pacific NW scuba divers play with these wolf eels (they're like underwater puppies),
but they grow up to 7' long, a little too large for most home aquaria!
Not to mention, the water temp they live in is around 50-60 degrees.

Pac West scuba diver here. I run into these things all the time in Monterey - especially in whalers cove / Point Lobos. Anyway I do not pet them

 

[Dsnakes]

I have a Dwarf Golden Moray in my 125g reef. I’m glad I pulled the trigger and got him. Perfect addition. He did eat a healthy blue green chromis once though. His main diet is squid and shrimp.

 

[rkpetersen]

Pac West scuba diver here. I run into these things all the time in Monterey - especially in whalers cove / Point Lobos. Anyway I do not pet them

We did! Some of the ones around here would get so used to divers that they'd come out and start circling our legs and torso! People would even name them.

 

[GoVols]

I have a Dwarf Golden Moray in my 125g reef. I’m glad I pulled the trigger and got him. Perfect addition. He did eat a healthy blue green chromis once though. His main diet is squid and shrimp.

Hey, Nolan
Followed your lead on an Hawaiian Golden Dwarf and love that guy.
He's really content with his head hanging out all the time and loves frozen squid.

I know that I should have a screen top, but he's never really thought about making a escape...

 

[User1]

We did! Some of the ones around here would get so used to divers that they'd come out and start circling our legs and torso! People would even name them.

I don't doubt it The few I've come across are somewhat shy. The sea otters and sea lions, well, those are another story. I've not made any dives up your way but I bet it is nice.

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

We did! Some of the ones around here would get so used to divers that they'd come out and start circling our legs and torso! People would even name them.

I would freak out. I’m terrified of snakes, and probably would pass out. LOL I have swam with sharks bigger then myself though

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

I

Pac West scuba diver here. I run into these things all the time in Monterey - especially in whalers cove / Point Lobos. Anyway I do not pet them

I dove Whalers Cover about 12 years ago. What an awesome spot!

I remember seeming a video a long time ago with a diver, I believe in Hawaii, feeding an eel a hot dog. He was not wearing gloves. It’s not hard to guess what happened.

 

[User1]

I


I dove Whalers Cover about 12 years ago. What an awesome spot!

I remember seeming a video a long time ago with a diver, I believe in Hawaii, feeding an eel a hot dog. He was not wearing gloves. It’s not hard to guess what happened.

Ouch.

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

Ouch.

Not a fun day

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

Looks like it made prime time. I was mistaken it was Thailand. This is not the original video I saw though and what they’re not telling you is that he was feeding them hotdogs which looks just like ??? One thing that is rarely discussed is how destructive it is to feed aquatic life.

 

[JimmyK]

I have (2) golden dwarfs for about 8 months now... best tank addition I could make. Always wanted to try and these guys add so much character to the tank. Don’t touch my shrimp but did munch a small goby... they eater silverside once or twice a week and the goby looked like their normal dinner.