snowflake eel in a 55?

[sloth54]

I just read on another board a post that asked if there are any eels ok in a 55. It had 9 replies, with two recommending a snowflake eel, and no one said it wasnt a good idea. CAn this actually work? I think tehy are very cool, but i didnt want to cram one in my tank! But would one be ok?

 

[smokinstarfish]

I think it's the same as the yellow tang in the ambiguous 55g debate that is highly controversial. There's some who think it's not big enough, while others call balderdash.
I'd say if it grew to be a larger specimen than average, you'd be obliged to upgrade your tank. I'm not sure what the average lenght is though.

 

[harlequinnut]

The maximum size of the snowflake is 29.5" if it even gets that long. The minimum size tank for that eel according to Scott W. Michael's book "Marine Fishes" is a 30 long. You decide.

 

[smokinstarfish]

I think Mr. Michael fell and hit his head that day because a 48" long is minimum.

 

[smokinstarfish]

I was talking about the tank lenght.

 

[smokinstarfish]

Well I've heard it from a lot of people who've kept them that they can chase, bite, and kill fish even though they don't prefer the taste. They'll eat anything if they're hungry. That's why I said the damsels would be fine.

 

[krunk]

I think they'd be fine lifetime in a 55.

 

[lionstorm]

i've read about members on this board (namely killafins) having problems with snowflake eels and porc puffers, is this a normal occurence? I have a 75 gallon tank which is 48" long with 70 lbs of live rock, would i have a problem if i introduced an eel into my tank? The other tank mates include a cinnamon clown and 3 damsels, most of which are pretty large for damsels.

 

[bioreefer]

I think 30 gal is a little to small for eels but I think when he wrote about it in his book 30 to keep it alive not thrive I sure he would say bigger the better. for snowflake eel

 

[terminus est]

One thing I think a few of you have forgotten about eels is they arent tangs. They dont need massive amounts of swimming areas. Eels spend most of their time under a rock with their heads poking out. I can see a snowflake easily in a 55 on the same token I think a 30 is a little small.

 

[myescape0]

We have our snowflake eel in a 33 gal.flatback hex and he does fine. He eats everything we put in there....except our puffer and trigger have been spared thus far.

 

[smokinstarfish]

That's why I said a 48" long is minimum... a 30g tank like already stated is to survive not thrive.

 

[sloth54]

i have a clarkii clown and a pretty small lunar wrasse in my tank. Do you think he will eat those?

 

[smokinstarfish]

Never say never but probably not. Snow flakes don't go after fish to eat them.

 

[terminus est]

the only real reasons it would attack those fish is if its underfed or they get in the way during a feeding frenzy. Occassionally you just get oddballs that will do it though as everything in this hobby.

 

[sloth54]

i only have 40 lbs of base rock..is that enough rockwork for him to hide in? Also, is would he possibly knock over the rock and break my tank?

 

[sloth54]

sorry for all the questions, but i really want one of these guys, i just want to make sure everything checks out1

 

[myescape0]

I feed mine silversides,squid,any small fish that died.I feed him every day to every other day.He still eats our other fish.He used to not do that but after I first fed him squid,I noticed a change in his demeanor. My tank is 36" wide X 13" deep X about 18" tall.He has l/r,l/s and a blue bottle for cover.

 

[sloth54]

hey myescape..what other kinds of fish do you have, and how big are they

 

[myescape0]

Originally posted by sloth54
hey myescape..what other kinds of fish do you have, and how big are they
In my 33 gal. I have 1-puffer about 3", I got at the beach,1-huma-huma about 4",1 -snowflake eel about 12-14",2-urchins, I got from the beach,1-lge. coral banded shrimp,1-conch,got from the beach,l/r,l/s.
In my 10 gal. I have 2- mandarin gobies 1-about 2" and the other about 3",1-coral banded shrimp,from the beach,1-conch,got from beach,1-urchin,got from the beach,l/s,some plants/algae from beach.
In my husband's 150 gal. there is...l/r,l/s,1-lge.3-4" maroon clown,1-ex.lge.4-5" yellow tang,2-sm. skunk clowns,2-blue chromis,2-female..1-male firefish,1-tiny coral banded shrimp,1-conch from beach,1-lge.6"coral catfish,1-blenny from beach,1- royal gamma,1- scooter blenny,3- cleaner shrimp,1-urchin,1-anenome,1-anenome crab,and a lot of corals.