Zebra Moray and Fish Disappearance

[robshippy]

I have had a zebra moray (24" long) for more than a year and I have never noticed it having an interest in eating fish. He did eat two Arrow crabs I tried to introduce last year, but otherwise, Mr. eel just eats the frozen mysis shrimp we feed it.
On Saturday, I introduced two Percula Clownfish into my 180G reef tank. Within 15 minutes, I witnessed the moray lunge at one of the clowns. I had never seen this behavior in this eel before.
Well the first clown disappeared after one day and the second clown disappeared on the third day.
What I do not understand is why the zebra moray would eat clownfish but not any other type of fish that have previously shared space with the eel (Damsels, Goby's, etc.).
Now keep in mind that I can only presume that the clownfish were eaten by the eel (I have no witnesses and no carcasses were found).
I have also wondered if the eel confused the clownfish with my feeding tongs. My feeding tongs, in which I clasp the frozen mysis shrimp, have ORANGE clasps. I have been feeding the eel with these orange clasps for almost a year. So I'm wondering... did the eel think the ORANGE clownfish were the feeding tongs? Can eels associate color with food? I thought zebra morays were nearly blind and that they only had a keen sense of smell.

-Rob

[Doug1]

perhaps he just saw orange shape and is trained to think food

[Alice]

Well....eels do eat fish. I'm sorry for the loss of your clowns, though, what a bummer

It could be that he's used to the fish that are in your tank now and never viewed them as a food source. Maybe the swimming style or the color of the clowns had something to do with it. Whatever the case, he just did what came naturally and I'd try feeding him, a lot, before your next addition.

~Alice

[ 05-17-2001: Message edited by: Alice ]