Any tips on feeding a zebra eel
- Thread starter thehat
- Start date
conogre
Member
Zebras and Snowflakes are relatives with a common weakness......neither can resist squid or octopus when it's offered as food.
We live in Florida where every bait shop carries frozen squid and it's almost guaranteed to bring a morey out of the rocks when placed in the tank, often within minutes, day or night, lights on or off.
For those of you who live inland, check with your grocery store fro "kalimari" and I can almost guarantee that you'll have an eel that will not only grow and thrive, but in the case of the two species listed above, also will make community tank fish out of them as both will actually often refuse fish flesh when they have the opportunity.
We have a 36" snowflake morey that will ignore 2" tankmates as long as he gets his squid.
You also get to amaze friends by having neon gobies in the same tank (we've actually had watchman gobies share the morey's burrow)
Be advised though......this does NOT work with the fish eating eels, and in fact, many of the piscavoreous species will regularly cannibalize each other as well.
We live in Florida where every bait shop carries frozen squid and it's almost guaranteed to bring a morey out of the rocks when placed in the tank, often within minutes, day or night, lights on or off.
For those of you who live inland, check with your grocery store fro "kalimari" and I can almost guarantee that you'll have an eel that will not only grow and thrive, but in the case of the two species listed above, also will make community tank fish out of them as both will actually often refuse fish flesh when they have the opportunity.
We have a 36" snowflake morey that will ignore 2" tankmates as long as he gets his squid.
You also get to amaze friends by having neon gobies in the same tank (we've actually had watchman gobies share the morey's burrow)
Be advised though......this does NOT work with the fish eating eels, and in fact, many of the piscavoreous species will regularly cannibalize each other as well.
thehat
Member
Yea I bought that today actually. He hasn't really gone for it. The problem is that zebras are really shy. so he is under my 70 pounds of live rock. They say to get them to eat that you are supposed to nudge them on the nose with the food. Well I can't find his nose. I can see him moving between the cracks but no luck fining his hidden face and nose. Its kinda frustrating.
thehat
Member
well He was out swiming around the rockwork today. He is still hiding but i found his face. I tried feeding him squid and silver sides and poked him in the nose with both and he gave me the finger. I have had him since tuesday. Do you think he is fasting? Maybe he is uncomfartable inthe enviroment and he is getting used to stuff. I don't know I just want himj to eat damn it.
thehat
Member
Yea the lights were off today when i found him coming around the rocks. He wasn't interested in eating though. It amazes me on how many people are on this message board and no one has any answer for me. Other people on here have to have this type of eel and have had some sort of an experience with them. They are not that uncommon.
flamingkingofhe
Active Member
make shure you are feeding him with a feeding stick because if he bites you you could get an infection
azeritis
Member
I live in Greece and we sometimes go
[hr]
fishing and catch octapi (I usually join for the ride, not mauch of a
[hr]
fisherman), when we go out on a rocky shore to soften the ocapus, if the there are morays in the area they will definately come out as soon as the smell the octapus. I do not really know how easy it is for you to find fresh octapus in your area, but I would give it a shot.
[hr]
fishing and catch octapi (I usually join for the ride, not mauch of a
[hr]
fisherman), when we go out on a rocky shore to soften the ocapus, if the there are morays in the area they will definately come out as soon as the smell the octapus. I do not really know how easy it is for you to find fresh octapus in your area, but I would give it a shot.
jennarienne
Member
IMO, he is probably just stressed. i have a 24 in. snowflake, and when i first got him a year ago, he didn't eat for almost a week. now, he will come right to the surface for me to feed him (with a stick, of course!), and he's not picky at all! he eats whatever i feed my fish (formula one, brine cubes...) - he never did eat the silversides the lfs guy gave me. and he doesn't touch my shrimp or small fish either. but he's just been put into a bigger tank, and once again, hasn't eaten for almost a week...anyway, good luck with yours
thehat
Member
Yea that was my thought. Like I said before some morays will not eat for up to two weeks. He is probably just gettin used to stuff. I think I will leave him alone for a couple more days and try to feed him on tuesday or wed. When zebra eels are hungry do they come out from hiding and ask for food? I am new to eels so my questions may seem a bit stupid sometimes.
conogre
Member
As he settles in, he'll usually have his head exposed the majority of the time unless he's intimidated by tankmates, but will come out immediately when he's hungry, particularly if he smells squid or octopus.
Moreys are scent feeders, with a sense of smell almost as good as a bloodhound.
For now, you might try dropping a single tentacle in when you go to bed at night and then simply removing it if it's still there in the morning.
Moreys are scent feeders, with a sense of smell almost as good as a bloodhound.
For now, you might try dropping a single tentacle in when you go to bed at night and then simply removing it if it's still there in the morning.
thehat
Member
Yea we have lots of asian markets around here. What do I look for? Like specificly. Where do you get live fiddler crabs? are they fresh?salt water? Anything you give me will help. Thanks for all you have given me so far. You are the first person that has owned one that has helped me.