Snow Flake Eels....your verdict?

Nafe · 03-01-2004, 12:09 AM

Just interested in hearing about experiences people have had with this species in REEF tanks.

How did it treat its tankmates, what size tanks did you keep it in, what did it feed on etc.

The local LFS has some awesome specimens in stock for very reasonable prices.

How would one go in a 4x1.6x1.6 tank?. how badly would it restrict my choice of fish?

Any info would be greatly appreciated

Nathan

dwall174 · 03-01-2004, 12:55 AM

They are known to be escape artists, strainers on the overflow to the sump if you have one, And a lid or a canopy with a sealed back! I had one for about three months & he managed to get into the sump from the overflow then managed to get out of the sump & died!
I fed him silversides & mysis shrimp but had to get it down to the LR where he stayed! He would never stray very far from the LR, & didn’t bother the spotted hawk & bi-color dwarf angel I had with him in a 38gal 36" x 12" x 20" deep tank.

Geoff · 03-01-2004, 09:15 AM

they love to eat your ornamental shrimp if you have any in the tank! they are primarily crustacean eaters. they will eat fish if given the chance but they have to be pretty small.

G~

craigy boy · 03-01-2004, 12:52 PM

i had a snowflake which i found on my carpet one day, though he survived after being quite stiff, but then sought his revenge by eating whole one of my clowns before my eyes, for such a dosile eel it shocked me not to be able to stop him so back to the lfs he went, in exchance for a zebra moray which i have to say is an awsome specimen with no troubles...

Paradox · 03-01-2004, 01:44 PM

It will eventually eat small fish and your cleanup crew.. If it doesnt at first, one day it will learn that it can..and it will =)

ATLe46 · 03-01-2004, 03:10 PM

The snowflakes I've had have been quite aggressive; always trying to eat fish and really anything that moves. The last one I had was only about 5 inches long, but was the most fiesty, aggressive thing I have ever seen.

I agree with Craigy on the Zebra Moray. Definitely one of the coolest creatures I've ever had. Ours was about 3 feet long and never touched a fish. He loved live crayfish though...

StellaMN · 03-01-2004, 03:20 PM

You might want to send a PM to mjsandbe. He has a snowflake in his 90 gallon softie tank that he now regrets putting in.

He is very limited as far as stocking goes. They will eat anything that they can get in their mouths.

Jodi

-Rich87T · 03-01-2004, 03:58 PM

We had a 2 foot snowflake... keyword is "had"...

It was a nightmare to other fish. Before I could trade it back in, the eel escaped through glass to a dry, fuzzy death. Who would have thought it would swim UP the protein skimmer outlet?!? The rest of the tank lid was duct-taped closed and a light sits on top of the glass access doors!!!

I currently have a blue ribbon eel that is AWESOME. I hear they have a 50% chance of survaival and are hard to get them to eat, but ours loves frozen (thawed) smelt chunks and is about 4 feet long!

There's a pic of him at my site:
http://www.poweredbythought.com/aquarium/

Eric P · 03-01-2004, 07:31 PM

I have a 12-14 inch snowflake that is a great tank mate. He never bothers the other fish except by accident during feeding time and always lets go immediately upon figuring they weren't food. He has never hurt anyone. I have never seen him bother snails hermits or shrimp. I feed him silversides and frozen shrimp. He gets hand fed and is one of my favorites. This is my second one and I have had him for about 6 months. Like everything else I think it depends on the individual.

Eric...

Nafe · 03-01-2004, 07:32 PM

Thank you guys for all the replies, it just goes to show how reviews of fish often differ very much so from first hand accounts.
And as always LFS advice isnt very good...

Your advice is very helpful, im glad i asked about the Eel here before purchasing one.

Rich87T that Blue ribbon eel looks incredible! have you got any more info on that species?

Ok so the Zebra seems to be getting the thumbs up, anyone got advice on this species?

In a 48'long and 20" high and wide tank would it be possible to keep this species and other fish. Will it eat small fish eg clowns, chromis etc

I just read this review of the Zebra Moray:
The Zebra Moray Eel is an eyecatching and extremely docile species that derives its name from the bold pattern of bars on its body.

The Zebra Moray Eel is an ideal moray for the community fish tank. It poses no threat to its fish tank mates or the aquarist, and is often out and about during the day rather than at night. A 125 gallon or larger aquarium must be provided with crevices for hiding that are large enough to conceal the eel's entire body.

The Zebra Moray Eel diet should include sizeable portions of meaty foods, fresh fish including clams, squid, scallops, and shrimp.

Sourced from http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...=21&pCatId=136
End of Review

Would you generally agree with those statements, such as extremely docile and posing no threat to tank mates or the aquarist?.

My tank is 83 gallons, so if i bought a juvenile only around 8 inches or so i could expect to keep it in that sized tank for about 3 years or so i would guess. Does that sound acceptable? I intend to have a bigger tank by that time period.

Imaexpat2 · 03-01-2004, 08:17 PM

I have had several eels over the years and feel like they are best reserved for an aggresive only tank. If you desire and eel that much, and they are pretty cool, might want to look at the Jewel Moray. They get about 24 inches, thick bodied, and striking markings but not as vivid as a Ribbon eel. Some will adapt to a "community tank" but in all likelyhood, will eventually discover that its tank mates are on the "Menu"!

At the moment, I currently have only a Jewel Moray that is about 16-17 inches long and will allow hand feeding. It is residing in a 65 gallon tank with a 7" Miniatus Grouper with snail and hermits for a clean up crew. NO shrimp or crabs are in this tank. Although it does spend a good bit of time hiding, it does come out fairly regularly for veiwing. In a reef tank, if its not glued down or very large and heavy, it is subject to being moved by the Eel to suit itself, so keep this in mind.

JMHO and personal experiences with these guys.

tims · 03-01-2004, 08:41 PM

just to throw my 2 cents in..
i have had snows in the past .. ay home and when i worked at a LFS.. very good escapee's..and rule of thumb.. if it will fit in it mouth....before i got rid of mine.. he cleaned out ost of my crabs and shrimp in a few days time... he was very good until one day he got really hungry i guess....

maybe it is possible that each snow is different..but they do like to eat crabs and shrimp...

ATLe46 · 03-01-2004, 09:04 PM

I think if you can find a Zebra Moray that is 6" or 8" long, an 83 gallon tank would suffice. However I have never seen one that small before. We had one that was probably 2' long or so in a 55 for a short while, and really didn't have any problems. They are not usually too active. We soon moved him to a 125 where he still remained pretty much in the same hole and always poked his head out. He'd come out from time to time and swim up and down the tank, but would always go right back to his hole. You want to keep a secure lid, but I don't think Zebra Moray's are nearly as bad at jumping as some of the other eels.

Good luck and post some pics when you find one!

Nafe · 03-01-2004, 11:45 PM

Yeah from what i have read they seem to be probably the most tank safe Moray of them all!.

What kind of fish and invertebrates did u keep with it?

The local LFS gets young ones around 17-20 inches So i cant see why it would be a problem in a 4 foot long, 1.6 high and wide tank for a period of 2 or 3 years.

Nafe · 03-01-2004, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric P
I have a 12-14 inch snowflake that is a great tank mate. He never bothers the other fish except by accident during feeding time and always lets go immediately upon figuring they weren't food. He has never hurt anyone. I have never seen him bother snails hermits or shrimp. I feed him silversides and frozen shrimp. He gets hand fed and is one of my favorites. This is my second one and I have had him for about 6 months. Like everything else I think it depends on the individual.

Eric...

How large was your last?

I guess at that size though he wouldnt really be too interested in crustaceans while he is being well fed.

What fish do you have with him?