Ribbon Eels!

[Dustin]

I have been doing a little bit of research on the ribbon eel species and am wondering if anyone has every kept one. They are very picky eaters but that can be fixed with a varety of foods.

[Pineapple House]

I really wouldn't attemp keeping one of these. For one, these don't have the best survival rate in captivity, and are sometimes quite hard to get to eat. These are also known for eating shrimp, crabs, and even smaller sized shrimp. They would also likely outgrow your tank. I would pass on this eel. IMO, and only IMO, eels shouldn't be added to reefs (Remember, that's JMO, so don't take it as a fact!)

While eels are quite beautiful, most aren't for beginners, and some are very difficult to raise. Although, some prove do to quite well in a home aquarium.

PH =)

[carol]

I have kept a snowflake eel for almost three years in a FOWLR. I would hand feed it mollies from a freshwater setup that went wrong!! mollies breed like crazy! Then late one night my picasso trigger ate it...I guess. I had a lot of body parts from all my fish that morning! I since have changed to non aggressive fish and some day soon a few corals.

[matrixnyc]

http://www.exotictropicals.com/encyclo/marine/eels/images/rbneel04_s.jpg
Photo: Exotic Tropicals
Rhinomuraena quasita

These are probably the hardest eel to keep since they can be finicky eaters. We have had success getting them started on ghost shrimp and then guppies. The Blue Ribbon Eel is bright blue with yellow mouth and is merely an older male black ribbon eel.

Maintenance difficulty:
This fish is difficult to keep. They are finicky eaters that need a lot of work to get to eat. Try all kinds of seafood, squid, shrimp, krill, and live food like guppies. They will also eat ghost shrimp if they are available.

Maintenance:
Feed all kinds of live fish and meaty foods. Use a poker if necessary at first to place the food right in front of their mouth. Don't worry if it doesn't eat for a while at first, they can go for several weeks without food (and often do).

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
Found in the Indo-Pacific.

Foods:
They feed mainly on small fishes in the wild with an occasional invertebrate.

Social Behaviors:
Sociable and peaceful, can be considered a community fish as long as the tankmates are not small enough to eat! Since its' mouth is fairly small, it is probably one of the best eels for the community aquarium.

Sex: Sexual differences:
The juvenile is black, like the eel shown in the picture. As they mature, the black will turn blue with the tips of the mouth and inside the mouth turning yellow. Apparently they will grow larger to become fully grown females which are a golden yellow color.

Breeding/Reproduction
Probably not desirable in the aquarium. Several freshwater species are known to lay their eggs in the ocean and die afterwards.

Light: Recommended light levels:
No special requirements.

Temperature:
No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:
Adults can grow to 100 cm (36 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
A minimum 60 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
Will generally stay in the bottom. Will bury themselves in the gravel with only their heads sticking out.

Info from exotictropicals.com

[gregr]

this was taken at my lfs- i've never kept an eel but i sure have been tempted!
greg

[cisco]

I had one in the past for about 1 year in my FO tank, I had no problems with food he started eating about 5 days after he got in the tank, I use to feed him live mollys, and small frozen shrimp, they are very freindly and nice to look at the only problem that if you have any large fish they will take bites of the eel, thats what happen to me. I also had a large angel and about after a month he started to take bytes of the ribbon eel, so They are only good with medium size fish. If you keep to small a fish he will eat them.
good luck cisco

[ssgibby]

I agree with PH, but I also think they can be hit or miss. You may find one that eats anything you put infront of it. Other times they may not eat at all.

[Pineapple House]

BTW- Yet another awesome picture greg!! :-D It's beautiful!

PH =)