Zebra Eel with one eye

[mikedog]

I just purchased a Zebra Moray Eel tonight, for my 125 gallon tank after exchanging some other fish. It has been at the store for at least a month, and I was told that it has been eating very well, and it is very docile. I got it home, and properly acclimated it. I rearranged my rocks to make caves for it, and when I finally got a good look at it under the lights, I was shocked to see it is missing its left eye. It is just an indention, like the eye was never there, or most likely it happened a while ago. The eel is about a foot long, and a beautiful specimen. I know I should of gotten a better look at him at the store but he was under a bunch or rockwork, and was in a large tank. So my question is if hes eating well, and I don't have any small fish that he might mistake for food, and I know eels don't have very good sight in the first place, should I keep him, or take him back for a refund or exchange. Thank you in advance for all your valuable help.

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by mikedog
http:///forum/post/2682642
I just purchased a Zebra Moray Eel tonight, for my 125 gallon tank after exchanging some other fish. It has been at the store for at least a month, and I was told that it has been eating very well, and it is very docile. I got it home, and properly acclimated it. I rearranged my rocks to make caves for it, and when I finally got a good look at it under the lights, I was shocked to see it is missing its left eye. It is just an indention, like the eye was never there, or most likely it happened a while ago. The eel is about a foot long, and a beautiful specimen. I know I should of gotten a better look at him at the store but he was under a bunch or rockwork, and was in a large tank. So my question is if hes eating well, and I don't have any small fish that he might mistake for food, and I know eels don't have very good sight in the first place, should I keep him, or take him back for a refund or exchange. Thank you in advance for all your valuable help.
Personally I would keep it. Anyone can get an eel that has two eyes, but one...you got something special there

. Seriously though...if it looks like an old wound he obviously has been getting by, I'd keep it.

 

[sepulatian]

That is completely up to you. I would keep it though. As mentioned, if it is an old wound and he is eating well then it isn't effecting him physically. It just gives him character

 

[hefner413]

And like you said... they are virtually blind anyway. So I agree with keepin him.
Did you happen to get a good deal on him?

 

[mikedog]

Thank you for the quick responses. I got him for a good price, after my store credit for the the fish I traded in, he was only $40. I plan on feeding him some frozen krill tomorrow, and if he continues to eat well I plan on keeping him. Thank you again for the advice.

 

[hefner413]

cool, just make sure you try some other foods too.. shrimp, squid, etc.

 

[mikedog]

Last night when I got home from work, he was eating frozen krill like he was starving. So I am definitely gonna keep him, I tried feeding some squid this morning, but he didn't want it, probably never had it before. I also plan on feeding him raw shrimp from the grocery store, if there is anything else I should be feeding, let me know. Thanks Again

 

[bigtankbigfish]

my zebra is about 24 inches. He goes nuts for raw shrimp. Wont touch squid or silversides. Shrimp only.

 

[hefner413]

yeah, I've tried whole raw shrimp with shells, squid, silversides, and scallops. It likes the shrimp and squid. I tried putting both a silverside and a piece of shrimp on the same stick, so it would eat both at the same time. It bit off them both and then spit out the silverside... I got the message.

 

[slackjawed]

Originally Posted by BigTankBigFish
http:///forum/post/2683284
my zebra is about 24 inches. He goes nuts for raw shrimp. Wont touch squid or silversides. Shrimp only.
live silverside?

 

[mikedog]

Here he is, My one eyed Zebra.

 

[hefner413]

another thing... he might come out more b/c he wouldn't be spooked as much!?

 

[mikedog]

Yeah he doesn't seem to be shy at all, and hes still eating krill like hes starving. I bought a frozen mixture of raw seafood at the grocery store, it has octopus, shrimp, cuttlefish, squid, and cooked clams and mussels. I am thawing it out now, and I am gonna add my usual zoe, and zoecon, and hopefully he will like it, as I know he can't live on just krill.

 

[hefner413]

I've seen mixtures like this. I wasn't sure if the cooked clams/mussels were ok to give, thus I didn't get it. Know about this? Or does anyone else?
And good idea with the zoe/zoecon. I do the same.