eel selection

[octopus8]

Hello all,
I would like to get your opinions on a new eel. I plan on purchasing an eel in a few weeks and I would like to get your reviews and experiences on either a Snowflake or a Tesselata eel. I have a 120 show and I would like to know if a Tesselata would be too big for my tank? I think they are so cool, but I know they are aggressive and they get big. Can I please get some opinions, thanks!

 

[salt210]

I know you didnt ask about them, but I am partial to my zebra. here he is. he has gotten bigger since this pic. I havent had any signs of aggression even when the fish he is with try and bully him.

 

[octopus8]

Thanks salt,
I like those too! I just don't know what I should do. If it were up to me I would have 10 or 11 aquariums in my house. I like so many different things! I like crabs and shrimp and I know they don't do well with eels, but I love the eels too! Any tips, and I like the zebra alot, how big do they get?

 

[bpro32]

pretty sure the zebras get to be 3 feet but they really look great.. I'm getting a snow flake but only because my tank is too small for a zebra moray

 

[octopus8]

How long does the snowflake get? Does anyone know anything about the Tesselata? Do they get bigger than a zebra? Thanks guys

 

[bpro32]

Originally Posted by octopus8
http:///forum/post/2746449
How long does the snowflake get? Does anyone know anything about the Tesselata? Do they get bigger than a zebra? Thanks guys
The biggest that everybody tells me the snowflake gets is 2 feet but I had 1 person tell me they get up to 30" which I don't really believe.. I've seen a full grown tesselata, it was HUGE!! I don't know how long it was, probably 3
ft+, but it was as thick as a football. I can't imagine that big guy in a 120... I'm just thinking with common sense and I don't have any research behind it so I could be way off... Hopefully somebody will chime in with some real help

 

[hlcroghan]

Originally Posted by bpro32
http:///forum/post/2746595
The biggest that everybody tells me the snowflake gets is 2 feet but I had 1 person tell me they get up to 30" which I don't really believe.. I've seen a full grown tesselata, it was HUGE!! I don't know how long it was, probably 3
ft+, but it was as thick as a football. I can't imagine that big guy in a 120... I'm just thinking with common sense and I don't have any research behind it so I could be way off... Hopefully somebody will chime in with some real help
I agree sfe's are much smaller and usually a lot less aggressive. I would go with that one for your tank.

 

[octopus8]

thanks guys

 

[janscott23]

go with the sfe since they make great "starter" eels then get a second eel once your confident with dealing with eels.

 

[lighteningthes]

My snowflake is buds with my yellow tang, they are usually side by side, his head poking out of a whole and tang right next to him.

 

[harlikwin]

The tesselata will get too large (one of the large eels reaching 9' in the wild), and also the tesselata is a favagineus genus eel which means it consumes fish. Therefore it would likely in short time become the only fish in the tank, as it will eventually eat it's tankmates. The zebra or snowflake would be a good choice, or maybe even the chainlink for something interesting.