Lowering aggression in eels.

[tyler1503]

Does anyone know a way to lower aggression in eels?
I understand an aggressive fish is a natural thing and you can never turn an angry fish into a model citizen. But I was hoping someone has had any luck lowering some aggression to an acceptable level?
I have a snowflake eel who is super aggressive. If I don't feed him ALOT every day (and by alot I mean 2 1inch feeder fish, a entire table shrimp about 3 inches long, and a squid ring (he's only about 10 inches long )) he gets really aggressive against my poor little valentini who is really docile.
He's always been aggressive, but it's getting worse.
If there's no way to lower his aggression, I may have to take him back to the LFS sadly.
Any input/suggestions/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[ohio reefer]

Your issue may be feeder fish. This teaches the eel that it needs to hunt down its food, and to attack it. I feed my eel clam, and silverside. I make sure to use a tong and place it directly in front of his cave. He doesn't bother the other fish, or my hands in tank and I've had him for two years. However when I put my hand in front of his den he pokes his head out, but remains calm. He doesn't need to hunt for his food, he pretty much just opens his mouth.

 

[tyler1503]

I'm phasing out the feeder fish at the moment. He's only eating them out of the feeding tongs, not hunting them. He's never actually hunted for food, except maybe some CUC shrimp that weren't intended to be food. He just needs something live to initiate a feeding response sometimes.
I've had quite a few eels in the past (both snowflakes and other moray species some of which I could hand feed and rub their tummys) but I've never had any trouble with them being aggressive, even at feeding time. That's why this one is such a pain at times.
Most of the time I can't even put my hand in the tank without him rearing up at me and I know he's not just sussing me out because he thinks I may have food. It makes cleaning the glass a scary thing to do!