Snowflake Eel - Tell me about them...

[buzz]

I think Snowflakes are beautiful, and I'm curious.
Every time I see Moray's, they are hiding in rock work, or are otherwise stationary. I read that Snowflakes should not be in anything smaller than a 125g tank.
Are these eels active swimmers? If so, that explains it. If not, why is a tank of that size required?
Just trying to do my homework...

 

[stacyt]

I think most would agree that a 55 gallon would be sufficient for a snowflake. I've never read anywhere that a 125 would be the minimum. Snowflakes aren't very active durring the day, but mine is very active after the lights go out.

 

[jumpfrog]

Not an expert but can share my experience. Bought a 10" SFE about 4 months ago. Put him in my 46 knowing I would be upgrading. Seemed very content. Usually saw his head poking out most of the day. Come feeding time he would venture out and swim around the tank. Took food from a stick very well. He grew to about 15" and now is in my 125. Still sticks his head out most of the day. But, now that there is more activity in the tank he waits for me to feed him in his hole. Moves around from hole to hole. Very beautiful animal and we're glad to have him. I wouldn't think a 125 would be absolutely necessary as I don't think they "swim" around that much.
Good Luck and let us know what you do.

 

[buzz]

So what would you say is the minimum tank size for one?
Not trying to be irresponsible. If it's too small, I'll go another route...
I have a 29g still set up from before I moved everything over to my 60g Reef. I am tired of looking at an empty tank. I was thinking of an eel perhaps, only because they are nice looking, and I never see them moving around too much.
If not an eel, any suggestions?

 

[u235a4]

buzz with a baby sfe i would say that you would be ok for some time in a 29 intime i would say that a 55 would maybe the most you would need i at the moment have a 25 " tessy in a 37 now he is the only thing in there beside 5-7 peppermint shrimp a cbs and two cleaner shrimp and a bunch of rock altho since they reach a length of 70"s over the sfe avg 30" he'll be moveing to a 200 when the time comes but at the moment i have a baby sfe in my 10G QT tank to see how he make out if you see my post on him and then he'll also be going into a 37 AG tank of his own. oh and buzz here is a pic of my 37G tesselata eel tank

 

[grouperhead]

A 4' tank is plenty of room for an adult sfe. Bo

 

[joez]

I put a PVC pipe in my tank setup with 45degree elbows at both ends and a T section in the middle so he can pop in and out. My eel LOVES it and calls the pipe home. In fact, he only fully comes out durring feeding, but keeps his head out of one of the sides (or middle) most of the time.
It's really amazing how quickly mine is growing. I'm not sure inches (hard to measure while in the pipe and I haven't moved him into my other tank yet), but sure as grown quickly.
Mine was active in tank first night trying to escape, hasn't tried (that I know of) since. I must say he's a really cool guy to have.

 

[simm]

I have a SFE in a 55 for now. He is not very active and hides a lot so I would say he is ok in it for now but he may eventualy out grow it if he gets over 13". That is what he is now but as I said he does not swim much he only comes out when fed and does keep his head out of a hole looking around. I agree a 125 is a little extreme for a SFE.