Snowflake Eel

[Waters]

It absolutely drives me crazy when my fish disturb or pick at my coral...if they continue I normally remove them. With that being said, I am considering a small Snowflake Eel. I have read that they will constantly knock over coral that isn't glued down (which most of mine are not). Would it be a mistake for me to pick one up or do they eventually settle down and "behave" :-) ?

 

[mrred]

Following, I have been considering one also. Looking for info from some of you fellow reefers

 

[mrred]

Looking into a chainlink eel also. Ever here of one?

 

[erictorres0311]

Depends on the fish you have ? Not an expert but I did my research and asked a lot of questions. I ended up getting a zebra eel, fish friendly so far and have wrasses in tank with it about 1.5-2 inch. I know snowflakes get big pretty fast , my Lfs had got one about month ago and just last week it was double in size! As far as I know if they can stretch there mouth around a fish they will eat it.

 

[mrred]

Got mixed reef, clown, bleenie, pigmy angel. Looking for some more excitement in there. But certainly not a fast growing fish killer. I will make sure before I putchase. Thanks

 

[erictorres0311]

These are two pix of the eel from my lfs and my zebra in my tank.

 

[erictorres0311]

and from what I was told, some angels will pick at the eels

 

[mrred]

That zebra is sweet. So whats deal on them jumping out of the tank? Is this common or just a caution?

 

[erictorres0311]

I haven't had a problem with it trying to jump. I think it's more preventative, I do have a window screen on there and closed canopy. And I feed it every two three days and let's me touch it.

 

[Waters]

I am more concerned with the eel laying on top of coral and knocking them over or damaging them. I have had eels in past tanks but they weren't reef tanks (and yes, I speak from experience, if there is a way out, they will find it lol)

 

[erictorres0311]

It's knocks them down yes . Might break some sps they are kinda clumsy and when they swim up they kinda let there bodies fall coming down .

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

Mine that I had not only knocked over corals, but moved 5 pound rocks, and tried to bite my fingers.

 

[erictorres0311]

They are pretty strong and blind so could try going after fingers.

 

[CBurgei]

I have has several snowflake eels over the years that have never bothered my coral but have eaten fish. I would notice that they would slowly start to disappear and after that I got the eel out of the tank. Once they get bigger your keeping fish might become more of a problem. I would consider getting another one but with a separate tank.

 

[LouieP]

I have a white ribbon eel in my reef tank its pretty cool he goes through little holes in the rock. its doesn't really bother any of my fish or shrimp
but it is a pain to feed it ATM Superba Krill & live Ghost shrimp.

 

[cmac1031]

eels

Another option is engineer goby. Much easier to maintain and easy to keep ,only drawback they need sand and can make a mess at times

 

[SudzFD]

I have a white Eyed Morey. He is full grown at 15" and he does very well in my tank. I have him in my 60 gallon tank with his neighbors. 2 False Perculas, a yellow tang, and a Cleaner Shrimp, and hermits.

The shrimp cleans him and the clowns stay away from him. I have seen zero aggression toward anything in the tank. I feed him some small shrimp twice a week. He hasn't knocked anything over, but I see how he could. I don't have my live rock glued, but my coral is glued to the rock. No issues with that set up.

In my research it seems that eels for reef tanks are:

Golden Pencil Moray
White Eyed Moray
Snowflake Moray
Zebra Moray


I like the golden and white eyed since they stay relatively small.

 

[cmac1031]

Sorry for image quality I have a pair and there about 16-18inches long!

 

[erictorres0311]

+1 on what sudzfd said reef safe

 

[melev]

I have always heard about how nice the Golden Dwarf Morays are, but only recently got myself a pair. They are awesome, but did eat my Peppermint shrimp.