Snowflake Eel

[Triggerobsessed]

What fish can they be kept with? After an eliminating the ich that killed most of the fish in my 80, except for my hippo tang and my blue spotted puffer, i went out and bought a 12" snowflake eel. I was told at the store that the fish i have in my tank would be safe from being eaten. I was wondering what types of fish i could add to the tank?

 

[Lynden]

Sorry about the ich. Just be thankful that you've only had it happen once (as far as I know)...

Snowflake morays (Echidna nebulosa) are flat-toothed morays and thus adept at consuming crustaceans with hard shells. This feature also makes them poor at hunting fish, and several flat-toothed morays (especially the zebra, Gymnomuraena zebra) are safe with all fish 90% of the time. They still have, like their cousins, some of the most powerful jaws in the known animal kingdom, and will not hesitate to use them against a perceived threat (your hand) or if they happen to be very hungry, angry, or are trained to be mean.

Your snowflake moray will be safe with all fish larger than it's mouth. Do not keep true crabs or non-cleaner shrimp with this animal, as they will almost definitely be eaten. Most other animals will be well off with the moray, so a reef is still an option.

-Lynden

 

[FreshandSaltowner]

what about things like snails and other small usefull inverts, would they be gobbled up by the snowflake eel?

 

[andywg]

You would be slightly running the risk, though ornamental shrimp are more likely to be a target than snails.

However, it should be noted that there are few fish more lazy than a well fed moray. They will fot just sit around until you feed them and then sit around again.

As an example, I had a feeder shrimp in my SW tank when I purchased my ribbon eel. since then another ribbon eel has been added and both have ignored the shrimp, despite happily eating prawn from my hand.

However, as mentioned, placing a predator in a tank with its natural prey will always have some risk, albeit somewhat smaller in this scenario.

 

[SkiFletch]

However, it should be noted that there are few fish more lazy than a well fed moray. They will fot just sit around until you feed them and then sit around again.

Amen to that, my LFS has a Moray in a tank with a Damsel... Fish has been in the tank for 3 months now, and the moray pays it no bother.

 

[Lynden]

Many morays are hardly the vicious killing machines they seem to have gained a rep as. They are only animals and will do what they must to survive.

By the way I cannot imagine any moray attacking a snail. Echidna, Gymnomuraena are good subjects for the community and reef aquarium; even with small fish.

-Lynden

 

[wflash3]

are these snowflake eel reef safe with fish larger then their mouth? I would think that they would knock over all the rock work.

flash

 

[Lynden]

There is a chance they would knock over rocks. Simply arrange them in a strong, stable position. Otherwise, they are pretty safe for most reef tanks.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Sorry to get a little off topic but do you think a snowflake eel would eat a pistol shrimp?

 

[Lynden]

Sorry to get a little off topic but do you think a snowflake eel would eat a pistol shrimp?

Yes. Screw the pistol shrimp. They can kill other shrimp anyways, even ones that the moray would let be.

 

[kubora666]

my tanks completly empty, just started, and im thinking of getting the White moray eel in my lfs. its in with a puffer and a grouper. grouper is about 4.5" and the puffer about 6".
if i purchasze this eel what could be kept with him in a FISH ONLY 75g tank?

 

[04azuremach]

my tanks completly empty, just started, and im thinking of getting the White moray eel in my lfs. its in with a puffer and a grouper. grouper is about 4.5" and the puffer about 6".
if i purchasze this eel what could be kept with him in a FISH ONLY 75g tank?

Triggers!