Moray Eel Tankmates - Damselfish

piranhaman00

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Hi,

I was looking around for information on tankmates for fanged moray eels. I was looking for fish that were big and could hold their own but then got thinking that maybe damsels would be perfect. They are quick and small, moray probably couldnt catch, and if he did It wouldnt be the end of the world.

But then I thought about the eels safety. Would aggressive damsels possible be dangerous to the eel? I imagine them picking at the eel possibly?

Any thoughts?
 

Han

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I doubt the damsels would bother the eel, but the damsels would probably slowly start “disappearing” on you.
 

lion king

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These are actually interesting tankmates for a fang toothed moray. Any fish to serve as tank mates are a delicate proposition. They need to be large and aggressive, like triggers, and even then a risk. Ive seen small morays take down large angels and tangs. It can be done in large tanks, 180 at a minimum. When these small dang tooths get mature and full grown, they are a firce to be reckoned with.

Damsels are quick and elusive, they learn quickly how to avoid the predator in the tank. Some may get eaten, and some replacements, maybe even quickly. Ive seen a gang of blue devils living with a tessa. After a while he didn't even bother trying to catch them any more. Ive torn down my lion tanks to pull them out, when they refused to be eaten.
 

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Domino damsel is a unique and semi large and aggressive damsel. One of my personal all time favorite fish!!! And at 5 bucks a fish you can't go wrong.
 

jda

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Some damsels get pretty large and can stand up for themselves quite well.

I only had a few dragons, but they were not really interested in the fish. They would eat other inverts, but if I kept them reasonably well fed, I could keep almost any fish that I wanted in there with them. I had a wrasse that shared a burrow/hole with one.
 
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piranhaman00

piranhaman00

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These are actually interesting tankmates for a fang toothed moray. Any fish to serve as tank mates are a delicate proposition. They need to be large and aggressive, like triggers, and even then a risk. Ive seen small morays take down large angels and tangs. It can be done in large tanks, 180 at a minimum. When these small dang tooths get mature and full grown, they are a firce to be reckoned with.

Damsels are quick and elusive, they learn quickly how to avoid the predator in the tank. Some may get eaten, and some replacements, maybe even quickly. Ive seen a gang of blue devils living with a tessa. After a while he didn't even bother trying to catch them any more. Ive torn down my lion tanks to pull them out, when they refused to be eaten.

Why did you need to get them out?

Thanks everyone! I am going to get a few damsels and see how it goes.
 

lion king

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Why did you need to get them out?

Thanks everyone! I am going to get a few damsels and see how it goes.

I didnt like them visually. They caused no problems, they will not bother the eel if thats your concern. I like my predator tanks, predators only.
 

lion king

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Is that a jeweled eel. When they get full grown they'll be as thick as a ,man's wrist, mine was thicker, I have a skinny wrist. Mine would tussle with my triggers, most of them would avoid him, but the niger loved to wrestle with him. It always appeared the eel had won. I couldn't manage to keep any tangs with him. What size tank is he in?.
 
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piranhaman00

piranhaman00

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Is that a jeweled eel. When they get full grown they'll be as thick as a ,man's wrist, mine was thicker, I have a skinny wrist. Mine would tussle with my triggers, most of them would avoid him, but the niger loved to wrestle with him. It always appeared the eel had won. I couldn't manage to keep any tangs with him. What size tank is he in?.

Yes jeweled moray. It’s a 65 gallon.
 

lion king

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Yes jeweled moray. It’s a 65 gallon.

He'll live fine in a 65g as long as you do not have have aspirations for anything other than some damsels. He will likely eventually get them in that size tank. make sure you have the hatches buttoned down, when he gets larger and sets off, he is a strong beast. Your top will have to be secured with clips or weights' or whatever methods you devise. Just using lids will not do, he will push right through them. I would put a few damsels in from time to time, if you like the activity.
 
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piranhaman00

piranhaman00

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He'll live fine in a 65g as long as you do not have have aspirations for anything other than some damsels. He will likely eventually get them in that size tank. make sure you have the hatches buttoned down, when he gets larger and sets off, he is a strong beast. Your top will have to be secured with clips or weights' or whatever methods you devise. Just using lids will not do, he will push right through them. I would put a few damsels in from time to time, if you like the activity.

Thanks for the tips! The plan was to only have him in the tank, I am really liking the damsels, he doesn’t go after them at all(for now) and they add a lot of movement. Excited to watch him get to beast size!

Have the hood secured down very well;) It’s also very heavy. It’s a c250 which has the t5s built right into the hood. Not running the t5s but there’s a lot of weight plus it’s latched.

35554741-F0E9-4376-B9F8-6D426C2A5B46.jpeg B6A36824-DCF5-4C04-9323-1274A44A34FB.jpeg
 

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