eel in reef tank?
- Thread starter zeke92
- Start date
sk8shorty01
Active Member
In my opinion, both tanks are too small to house an eel for its entire life time, as most of them get rather large (green morays for instance can grow to like 7 feet).
The most docile eels that I have personally had (which I would consider reef friendly) are the snowflake and the zebra. Neither are overly aggressive, and I have had cleaner shrimp with both of them without a problem.
The most docile eels that I have personally had (which I would consider reef friendly) are the snowflake and the zebra. Neither are overly aggressive, and I have had cleaner shrimp with both of them without a problem.
zeke92
Active Member
ok.
if i clean out the 20 gallon (i'll get exact size, this is best guess)
and TRY to giv it a 10 gallon sump with a 10-15 gallon HOB filter in the sump.
will this work?
will an eel be fine in a 20 gallon if it has good water? i always heard the main reason for 30+ was there messy eating habits. technically it would be 30gallons but he/she would only be swimmin in 20 or so of it. i'll go get exact size. someone answer please..i don't want to clean this tank today for disapointment.
EDIT: 20.29 gallon(US)
if i clean out the 20 gallon (i'll get exact size, this is best guess)
and TRY to giv it a 10 gallon sump with a 10-15 gallon HOB filter in the sump.
will this work?
will an eel be fine in a 20 gallon if it has good water? i always heard the main reason for 30+ was there messy eating habits. technically it would be 30gallons but he/she would only be swimmin in 20 or so of it. i'll go get exact size. someone answer please..i don't want to clean this tank today for disapointment.
EDIT: 20.29 gallon(US)
sooner_reefer
Member
A golden dwarf could work, but they are very expensive. I wouldn't do a snowflake because most likely the rock in such a small reef is rubble rock, which can easily be moved around by the eel.
the egregious
Member
Your questions are completely contingent on their nature to begin with.
What is your price budget?
What type of eel are you referring to when you say "an eel"
My Gymnothorax favagineus is most definitely not a messy eater in the slightest, stays in a cave all day, comes out at night and swims all over the place. My adult Gymnothorax favagineus IS a messy eater, stays in one place for 12 hours, moves a little in the night and repeats the cycle.
A "filter" is not a luxury for a saltwater tank.
You could very easily get a small snowflake eel (3-5inches) and house him in a 20 until he is 7+ in which case I would recommend a 40, from 7 to 10 a 40 will suffice but eventually you will need a 55+ for an adult SFE.
This is all naturally based on the fact that "an eel" is indeed referring to a SFE. My previous Gymnothorax Funebris, was quite the opposite of a calm fish. Not that he was aggressive but, he would swim a lot and eat very messily.
So it boils down to this.
You can surely get an SFE if you understand that in a short time you will have to make several tank adjustments, as far as size goes, and have proper media filtration, and habitat. Eels are hardy, fun, and loving pets, but need to be cared for properly.
A SFE that is 15 inches long and is in a 20 gallon will not thrive.
and remember in this hobby, fish need to THRIVE not Survive.
What is your price budget?
What type of eel are you referring to when you say "an eel"
My Gymnothorax favagineus is most definitely not a messy eater in the slightest, stays in a cave all day, comes out at night and swims all over the place. My adult Gymnothorax favagineus IS a messy eater, stays in one place for 12 hours, moves a little in the night and repeats the cycle.
A "filter" is not a luxury for a saltwater tank.
You could very easily get a small snowflake eel (3-5inches) and house him in a 20 until he is 7+ in which case I would recommend a 40, from 7 to 10 a 40 will suffice but eventually you will need a 55+ for an adult SFE.
This is all naturally based on the fact that "an eel" is indeed referring to a SFE. My previous Gymnothorax Funebris, was quite the opposite of a calm fish. Not that he was aggressive but, he would swim a lot and eat very messily.
So it boils down to this.
You can surely get an SFE if you understand that in a short time you will have to make several tank adjustments, as far as size goes, and have proper media filtration, and habitat. Eels are hardy, fun, and loving pets, but need to be cared for properly.
A SFE that is 15 inches long and is in a 20 gallon will not thrive.
and remember in this hobby, fish need to THRIVE not Survive.
zeke92
Active Member
it's funny how about everyone says something different. some people say any eel can go in a 30 or more. some say with good filtration a smaller tank with a sump or good filter for water quality will do it, and some say you need an outrageous size just for a snowflake...
i've noticed, no offence, but talking to hobbyists in real life gives me alot more logical answers and pretty much everyone answers almost the same in real life.
somoene at my lfs said something along the lines of most people online come home from work and sit down at the computer just so they can type and prove there knowledge and usually say larger or smaller tank sizes then needed (same goes for food or anything else). i'm not saying this to you guys or everyone but i'm just saying everyone on here always gives different answers and it always seems people online giv giant numbers compared to hobbyists in real life.
i've noticed, no offence, but talking to hobbyists in real life gives me alot more logical answers and pretty much everyone answers almost the same in real life.
somoene at my lfs said something along the lines of most people online come home from work and sit down at the computer just so they can type and prove there knowledge and usually say larger or smaller tank sizes then needed (same goes for food or anything else). i'm not saying this to you guys or everyone but i'm just saying everyone on here always gives different answers and it always seems people online giv giant numbers compared to hobbyists in real life.
myerst22
Member
Keeping reefs or fish is not an exact science. We practice reef and fish keeping. If it were an exact science than things would be much easier. Thats the beauty of this hobby, you constantly are learning what works for you. Though it may work for you it may not work for the next guy. You can certainly keep a dwarf moray in your tank as long as all other things are in order. Also if you don't like conflicting opinions you've come to the wrong place for information. The reason you only get one opinion when your in a LFS is because there is only one person who is speaking to you and they all have the goal of selling you something. Tim