How would you stock a fang tooth eel tank

[Gp!]

I keep seeing pics of dragon eels and curious how one would stock a fang tooth eel tank.

Assuming the tank is large enough for a few eels. My favorite are the dragon eel and banana eel but I guess this is besides the point.

What else would you stock in it? 40 damsels and call it a day? What choices would you suggest for a neat display?

 

[lion king]

In a 300g plus with those 2 eels, you could do some triggers, large angels, groupers, tangs have to be thick. Fast, big fish with attitude in a large enough tank could live with those 2, they are actually on the milder side. In a smaller tank you could do some damsels for color and movement.

 

[Gp!]

Would the eels need to be the last inhabitants added?

 

[lion king]

Not necessarily, it's best to establish a feeding routine in an observation tank before introduction into the dt. This helps with a eel in case they become dufficult to feed and also immediately establishes what is food and what is not, when arriving into the dt. Sizing tank mates is very important and careful introduction into the dt, as not to confuse and trigger the eel into thinking it's food.

 

[Gp!]

I really like the clown trigger. I think the regal angel is a pretty fish.

Other than those two plus the eels I don't really have a solid preference down in the other types.

Would you share some of your favorites that you would pick as tank mates for the banana and dragon eels? Would you mix a few types of triggers?

 

[lion king]

The clown, niger, and picasso is a good trio of triggers. I woukd be a little concerned for a regal angel, the are on the delicate side of angels and more of a medium bodied. The emporer is king when it comes to angels, and a great mate for the eels.

 

[Gp!]

Would any of the typical algae grazing tangs be suitable? Or would large snails be the only suitable critters for that?

How about the damsels for smaller fish movement? Will they still be elusive or will they quickly disappear with the triggers?

 

[lion king]

Thick larger broad bodied Acanthurus could work, I'd still be careful as I have seen tangs succumb to these 2 specific eels. No zebrasoma's or Ctenochaetus. The damsels may or may not be bothered by the triggers. When triggers are larger they may fight and challenge each other and fish they perceive as a challenge, but many times pay no mind to the little flitty fish. Damsels are elusive and the eels and larger predatory fish will stop chasing them at some point, but will snack on one if convenient. The triggers will snack on a cuc.

 

[Gp!]

Hrm my previous post didn't seem to work. Sorry for the double post if it goes through

The more I look the more excited I am about it. Didn't realize so many fish I like would fit in with these eels so I hadn't considered it as a real option. Definitely going to go this route with the eels, triggers, and emporer angelfish even if nothing else works out.

Would you be comfortable with the risk on any of these tangs? I found a post about the large blue tang you watched go down immediately - WOW. Does that take any interest of tang attempt away for you?

The powder brown/blue have the taller looking body proportionally - don't know if that is the important factor but seems more difficult to take down. The others I just like - but figure they are probably more likely to become a snack. Although would probably be comfortable if there was some sort of maybe.

 

[Gp!]

Also, would you include one of these groupers?

 

[lion king]

If you caught the moral of the story behind the dragon taking down the blue tang, it was an error in introduction. he dumped the fish right in and the eel was new to the tank, and just triggered right into a feeding frenzy.

I really like the mustard, that is really the only one I would give a shot, they have a robust body and get pretty large, I am not as familiar with their attitude. I personally would not risk any of the other ones, they do stay on the smaller side, I wouldn't do any tang that stayed less than 12", or close.

 

[lion king]

Groupers usually work well because they are fast!!!. It comes down to size, attitude, and elusiveness. I like all of those groupers, I have a miniatus. Groupers are also always on the look out, that's what also makes them work well with the smaller fang tooths. The dragon is a little larger and looks very menacing, but if cared for properly, they are usually on the milder side.

Establishing a consistent feeding schedule is the utmost important. Try and get a smaller eel to start, establish their diet and feeding method, and be consistent. You decide not to feed them on schedule, there's always a chance they go hunting. Over time they become accustomed to being fed, and get lazy and may even lose their hunting desire, they will usually not want to exert the effort to wrestle down a tank mate. Larger, tougher, faster; tank mates that just won't go down without a fight are the fish you are looking for, fish with attitude.

 

[Gp!]

The miniatus is my favorite. I had one many years ago but it's been so long I don't remember much about it.

Does it keep the colors as pictured as it ages? Are you happy with yours? How long have you had it?

 

[lion king]

I've had him for a little over a year, he is about 7-8" and very vibrant. I would get a pretty large one, their body shape may be a little concerning, but they are so fast. I am a little disapointed how sketchy mine is, he is out most of the time, but is very hard to feed, he doesn't mix it up during feeding even though no one gets aggressive.

 

[Gp!]

Thinking I will add these blue damsels.

Any other small fish you'd recommend for motion and color that might stand a chance but won't make you flinch if they become a snack.

 

[lion king]

There are different types of damsels. you could mix it up. There really is no other fish I can think of that manages to become long term residents in a predator tank.

 

[Gp!]

So I've attached a summary of where I'm at with the fish list. Pretty excited with how it's coming together. Seems like it will be an entertaining group.

I'm trying to work through the rest of planned inhabitants so I can work out how I want to go about introducing everything.

Sadly I figure clams are definitely a no go. Are there any coral types I could give a shot with this mix? Should I try to keep some sponges for the Angel? How about anemones? I'm a fan of carpets... too bad clowns won't last. Other options to consider? This will be a sand-less / bare bottom tank.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

once the dragon takes out its tankmates you might try a Undulated Trigger, it will probably kill the dragon but it might let it live.

 

[Gp!]

once the dragon takes out its tankmates you might try a Undulated Trigger, it will probably kill the dragon but it might let it live.

Of course things don't always go according to plan. Hopefully it goes better than you predict though

 

[HB AL]

I kinda have a reef tank stocked similar to your likes.
Stock list
Japanese Dragon Eel
8 triggers
1 maroon clown
1 squirrel fish
3 tangs
1 damsel
1 Miniatus Grouper and a Broomtail Wrasse