Snowflake Eel

[blackjacktang]

This was a random thoght but Can I keep a small snowflake Eel in my 60 gallon reef? If I can get one, I will buy a cover for the tank before I buy it.
I have:
Mated Pair Of Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish
Royal DottyBack
Some Corals
Sponge
Snails
Hermits
Future Stalk List
Mated Pair Of Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish
1 Royal DottyBack
about 10-15 Corals
Sponge
Snails
Hermits
1 Anthies
2 Banggai Cardinal
2 Fire Fish

 

[dallassvt]

Nope! I tried it in a 55, while there is enough room for the Eel they eat all of your shrimp and will make a mess with your sand and liverock. you can give it a try, but I ll say one of the hardest parts is getting him back OUT of the tank!

HTH
Dallas

 

[rldavisou]

I have a snowflake eel in my 30long and he's really happy. I made the mistake of getting him used to eating out of my hand...don't do that. But hey, getting him out wouldn't be a problem. He bites me and latches on and I can pull my hand all the way out and he still hangs on. I just have to be careful and not wave my fingers around a lot.
I think it'll be ok, as long as he stays well fed. Mine has latched onto my clownfish when he gets hungry, mine is A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E!!

 

[sydneywood]

I think he may eat the snails and definitely will eat shrimp. My husband has a 2 footer in his 110 and he'll eat anything that we give him, he'd also eat any fish small enough to get into his mouth.

 

[rldavisou]

Mine is housed with a coral banded shrimp and has never even noticed it. Of course, CBS are some of the most dominant shrimp, so that could be the cause. I wouldn't put it with a peppermint or cleaner. I have a turbo, some cerith, and a bunch of nassarius, and the eel has never bothered any of my snails. My hand is the only non-food item he chows down on.

 

[johnnyd]

Originally Posted by rldavisou
http:///forum/post/2652923
Mine is housed with a coral banded shrimp and has never even noticed it. Of course, CBS are some of the most dominant shrimp, so that could be the cause. I wouldn't put it with a peppermint or cleaner. I have a turbo, some cerith, and a bunch of nassarius, and the eel has never bothered any of my snails. My hand is the only non-food item he chows down on.
+1 people saying their SFE ate their shrimp is prob. because they were lazy and didnt keep the eel well fed. i have one almost a foot long in my 55g and it has never bothered my fish or shrimp etc. i keep it well fed and it only comes out when its hungry...i feed it until it goes back and hides and its cave. its as peaceful as can be. it will make a mess by kicking up sand because they burrow in the substrate alot. if you have a lid and take the time to properly take care of the eel you should have no prob.

 

[fats71]

I have a sfe in my 125 he never touches the domino or yellow tail damsels or my snails. He is rarely seen and I toss in some silversides every two or three days and he seems happy. I have no lids on this tank and he has only made it into the overflow once and into my sump.

 

[blackjacktang]

I have an open top. What are the chances of it jumping out?
I will try and find a lid for my tank.

 

[blackjacktang]

I was also thinking of giving him back to my LFS when he reaches at a good size at about 1.5 - 2 feet.

 

[johnnyd]

Originally Posted by Blackjacktang
http:///forum/post/2653333
I was also thinking of giving him back to my LFS when he reaches at a good size at about 1.5 - 2 feet.
mine never swims to the top, but i would have a lid to be safe, there are a lot of stories of them jumping out. also it will be fine in a 55g full grown IMO

 

[natclanwy]

They can be kept in a reef tank as long as you are aware that they may eat your shrimp and crabs since that is their natural food source. They also may eat any fish small enough to fit into their mouths all depends on the personality of each eel some are okay others are way aggressive.