Snow flake eel

Tatiana · 02-17-2005, 04:25 PM

I just purchesed a 10G cube from a friend of mine. It has a damsel and a good sized ( about a foot long) snow flake eel in it. I have been reading up on the care for the eel and everything I have read so far says that it should be kept in a 30G or larger tank. This eel has been in the cube for a little over 2 years. I was woundering if i should move him to my 55G or should I just let him be in his little cube?

tims · 02-17-2005, 04:36 PM

It would be good to have him ina larger tank.
some people have trouble with them trying to get out , other have no problem at all.you might want to add egg crate across the top of the tank just to make sure he does not escape.

Tatiana · 02-17-2005, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tims

It would be good to have him ina larger tank.
some people have trouble with them trying to get out , other have no problem at all.you might want to add egg crate across the top of the tank just to make sure he does not escape.

Ok im going to make myself look stupid here, What is eggcrate?

And will the SF eat my pepermint shrimp?

Tim224DT · 02-17-2005, 04:51 PM

At the time i bought my snow flake eel he was about a foot long. I had him in a 15 gallon tank for 3 months he didnt grow much in that tank, but always escaping, now i have a 72 gallon for about 2 months hes doubled in size and i have no problem with him getting out. The only problem i have with him now is he eats way to much 3 silversides(2-3 inchs long) a night. Im sure he would be happier in the larger tank.

Tim224DT · 02-17-2005, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatiana

Ok im going to make myself look stupid here, What is eggcrate?

And will the SF eat my pepermint shrimp?

Eggcrate is the container that eggs come in at the store. and im not sure about the pepermint shrimp, maybe someone will know

wharyat · 02-17-2005, 04:58 PM

Eggcrate is actually a diffuser for fluorescent lighting.

Tatiana · 02-17-2005, 05:02 PM

Also if and when i decide to move him to the bigger tank, Do i need to bag him and go threw the acclimation process? Or is there another method that might work beter/easier?

Tim224DT · 02-17-2005, 05:07 PM

I guess i just made my self looks stupid about the eggcrate thing also

i bagged mine and did the whole float thing all over again when i moved him to the bigger tank. but thats not the hard part its catchin him, i put some food in the tank then when he came to eat it i netted him. good luck

aussiereefer82 · 02-17-2005, 05:15 PM

Yes he will clean up your Pep's in no time. Eggcrate is plastic sheet with usually1/2"x1/2" square holes in the top and you should be able to get it at homedepot. Yes you will need to acclimate the eel to the new tank, do this in your fish tank bucket just the same as you would with the bag.

Hope this helps.

wharyat · 02-17-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim224DT

I guess i just made my self looks stupid about the eggcrate thing also

Sorry about that.

Tim224DT · 02-17-2005, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wharyat

Sorry about that.

Its all good. Im still new to this reef stuff. Like i said i had a 15 gallon tank then went to a 72 bow. I had the 15 gallon for about a year fish only. Its like crack its good for a while but you move onto better stuff!!

Tatiana · 02-17-2005, 06:27 PM

I have another question concerning the SF eel. If i move him to the 55G that I have will i still be able to have some smaller fish such as clowns and gobbies? If i kept him well feed will this keep him from eating the smaller fish?

aussiereefer82 · 02-17-2005, 07:11 PM

Snowflakes are hit and miss. Some people keep them in mixed reefs for years with no probs, others will eat anything that moves, and some are fine for a while and then turn nasty. I'm sorry i cant answer that question straight out, i just dont think its possible to predict the personality/aggresion of any fish let alone predatory ones.

Tim224DT · 02-17-2005, 07:27 PM

i personaly have no problem with my sf eel, i keep him well fed like i said before 3 silersides a night, and he shows no sign of trying to eat my smaller fish. Its a thing that you have to try it then see what happens. Good luck

Tatiana · 02-17-2005, 07:30 PM

I tend to lean more (at least on this eel) that he would do alright with other smaller fish. he has lived with damsels for 2 years and has yet to get one, and the privious owner says that he has never been fed live food, he has always feed him shrimp on a feeding stick. He says that by feeding him in the stick that it helps prevent the other fish from being mistaken as food. I would like to hear from someone else that has or has had a snowflake with smaller fish.

Im looking for a bag now. Hope my wife doesnt freak.