setting up fish tank with eel

[joel911]

hi i going tomorrow to my lfs to start my tank,
i wanna set up a tank that i will be able to keep a eel,
i read here that u shouldn't start with fish thet are very territorial , to add it later,
so what would be a good 1 or 2 starting fish?
and whats the grope of fish that i can keep with a eel,
i have a 75g 35 LR and live sand cycled,
and what cleaning crew, would u suggest for this tank ?
thanks guys

 

[crypt keeper]

Dont add a single fish to cycle with. Which eel are you getting? Get some PVC pipe from Lowes or Home Depot. This is a better place for the eel. You will need about 30 more pounds live rock.

 

[crypt keeper]

Also for eels. While getting your PVC pipe get the egg crate stuff for light panels. Place this on the bottom of the tank. Then your Place the pvc pipes then rock then sand. The eel will move sand.

 

[crypt keeper]

The rock should be stable and not move. If it can move the eel can make it fall breaking the tank or killing himself. I can help more with more info.

 

[joel911]

Thanks for your reply,
i just got to today 1 small Humu Humu Trigger, and a small blue hippo tank,
its amazing after 10 min they where swimming together,
i would like to add a eel,i like the Blue Ribbon Eel, but maybe its not for begginer
but i can satlle for a snowflake or a Fimbriated etc.
also on my list a lionfish i will maybe add them together next week
any suggestion how to choose a eel, and how they will behave with fish?
and do you really have to seal of every tiny hole?
thanks!

 

[olemiss]

A fimby is going to eat every fish in your tank. Read up on piscivores. I'd recommend the snowflake and one of the smaller lions. i would not add them at the same time, that's a large bio-load to put on a 75 at once. I would also at least double you LR.

 

[joel911]

but i like the blue Ribbon, how difficult is it, maybe wait a little longer?

 

[olemiss]

Everyone likes the blue ribbon. They are labeled expert only for a reason. It takes an experienced aquarist to get them to eat and it's still rare. In a 75 you could try a golden dwarf moray, snowflake, a small zebra- it will out grow your tank OR a species only tank with ONE of these fimby, brazilian dragon, jeweled moray- these will eventually eat every fish in the tank even if the fish is larger than the eel. If you are dead set on a ribbon, I'd start with a black ribbon, this is the juvenile coloration of the blue which will eventually turn yellow. They are still VERY difficult to get to eat in tanks but I've heard more success stories with the blacks than blues and the majority of them will still slowly starve to death. A large network of pvc caves will increase your chances but they are still slim.

 

[joel911]

thanks, you right i searched the forum,
the golden dwarf moray, is beautiful wish if i had the budget....
so the only eel that will not outgrow the tank, and not eat all my fish will be the snowflake, or the Barred Moray,
witch one would you choose?, i never seen it real,
or any other suggestion?
thanks

 

[louti]

I've had both of those eels, and they have a very similar temperament. I would go with the barred moray, but only because they aren't as common. Both are nice looking eels in my opinion.

 

[crypt keeper]

Go with the zebra/barred moray. Great looking. Fish friendly. Also read up on qt sets ups and ICH. You really should have a hospital tank for tangs. Disease forum can be your friend.
Also a Picasso or Humu Humu trigger are up on the more aggressive list as far as triggers. It will mess with your lion. I have a pencil urhin and my trigger eats his spines when out during the day. It only comes out at night now and is fine.

 

[joel911]

OK will go with the Barred Moray, like his look
wow didn't think i will have a problem with the lion,
my trigger and tank are small, so maybe to to get a bigger lion?
one more question is there any possibility for a clown? or its out of question?
thanks.

 

[tonysi]

With those fish I'd put a maroon clown.They grow big enough to handle triggers.

 

[joel911]

thanks, and tell me if I'm right,
if want to add the maroon clowns with Anemone, the only problem would be the trigger right?

 

[tonysi]

the trigger might go after the anem., but the maroon would have no problem fending him off.

 

[tonysi]

You also would need the lighting to be strong enough for the anem.

 

[joel911]

thanks! sounds interesting,
i have now better idea how to build my tank,
i think I'm on the right direction thanks to you guys

 

[tonysi]

No problem,that's why everyone is here.We're all here to help and learn.

 

[95harley]

Check out my 75g moray tank. I can be done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnC1uiui8yw

 

[joel911]

95Harly, your tank and moray looks awesome, how did you do the rock work did you glue them?
maybe should hop over to NY to set up mine