Help getting ribbon eel to eat

[stokedmuffin]

I recently got a black ribbon eel about a week ago. I have not been able to get it to eat anything. I have tried live grass shrimp, live convict cichlids, squid, silversides, clams, mussels, and shark meat. The first 3 days, it seemed agitated and swam around the tank nonstop. Recently, it has been more secluded, hiding in the caves at the back of the tank (PVC pipes). When I attempt to feed it live or frozen food, it searches for it but does not eat. I’ve watched it track down a grass shrimp, then swim away. I’ve also seen juvenile cichlids swim into its mouth. I’ve tried feeding with tongs, using a very thin clear tube so it doesn’t see me, and even live feeding—but nothing seems to work. I’m looking for suggestions on what to do. I have attached photos of its habitat, which I think is more than suitable for it.

Additionally, there is a snowflake eel living with the black ribbon eel, and it seems to be eating without issue, often feeding around the black ribbon eel.

 

[KrisReef]

Dim or turn off the tank lights.
I have had great luck hand feeding these. Once they get the hang of feeding it will be fine. GL

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

lights out make the sent of shrimp strong in the tank feed him one of the shrimps from the 12pk feeding. send small peices into the water colum for it to feed up good luck

 

[Jasonak]

When I was young I worked at a pet store we had a ribbon eel it went I want to say month without eating. The owner had introduced mollies into the tank and one morning we came in and they were all gone he ate them up and was feeding from that day on. They can be little testy at first.

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

garlic dip your shrimp

 

[OrchidMiss]

My first ribbon took 3 months to tong feed. Try reddish swordtails, they are like a delicacy.
Mine also goes nuts for octopus and shrimp. Best of luck!

 

[stokedmuffin]

i have tried soaking the food in lipo garlic and seachem Entice i am picking up a order tomorrow for mollies,goldfish,grass shrimp and ula shrimp hopefully one of them sparks his interest . i am going to try and dramatically cut back on the tank lights also