Staritning With Eels

[herper_josh]

I want to start the saltwater hobby with eels. I would like to get a Snowflake Moray or a Zebra Moray. They will be kept in a 160 gal. I want to know how to setup the tank and what type of filters and things I will need. :? Info found on the net is misleading. Different sites say different things. Any info is helpful. Thanks.

[harlequin]

as you said different sites say different things well that comes true when it comes to advice so with that said, IMO, with eels you need a good filtration-I like the wet/dry filters (some people do not like these filters however I have had no trouble with them and my water quality is excellent.) You will need something for the eels to hide whether it be live rock or some other decor. I have seen both of these types of eels kept with no substrate so that is totally up to you.

hth

[herper_josh]

What type of substrate do I use if I wanted to use it? Can I make a tunnel of PVC pipe and cover it with live rock? Would eels get along with a Convict Tang and a Valentini Puffer? Is that a bad combo?

[harlequin]

As for substrate I use crushed coral mixed with aragonite and sand. Depending on the species of eel its a good general rule if the fish doesn't fit in the eels mouth it MAY be okay.

As for the Valentini puffer, I have kept one with a goldentail and snowflake eels and it did just fine, so I wouldn't say it is a bad combo.

[Triggeraddict]

I would say the combo would be fine but be sure the eel has enough cover so it can conceal its entire body. Watch the Valentini puffer and the eels tail as many times eels tails are just too tempting for puffers to resist. I have 3 Morays currently, a Black Ribbon Eel, Ghost Ribbon Eel, and a Zebra Moray Eel. They are all 3 feet long the two Ribbons are together and the Zebra is in my 209 gallon tank with many of the Triggs and does great. They always have their bodies completly concealed in the live rock with only their heads sticking out. Both Eels you mentioned are great but I prefer the Zebra (more striking colors in my opinion). Anyway, hope this helps and good luck.

[kell]

From my experience, snowflake eels are great tank dwellers. They are not as agressive with their handler as some of the other eels, and they are easy to hand feed when they're babies(I'll stop when mine gets to big... kinda scary). The #1 thing you really have to watch for in eels, is that they can't get caught in any kind of filtration or skimming, as well as slip out of the tank somehow. I haven't had any problems with mine except that he has an uncanny interest in the hermit crabs walking about his cave. He actually got his head inside the shell but didn't bite. Water perameters are the same as any fish tank, and they're actually fairly hardy creatures. Feeding is 3 times a week with krill or any larger seafood depending on the size eel your getting. The only con to owning an eel is you dont see them very much as they like to hide in their holes or caves. You'll know when they're hungry because thats when you'll see them usually. Well I hoped that helped.

[mybubbles]

I would say the combo would be fine but be sure the eel has enough cover so it can conceal its entire body. Watch the Valentini puffer and the eels tail as many times eels tails are just too tempting for puffers to resist. I have 3 Morays currently, a Black Ribbon Eel, Ghost Ribbon Eel, and a Zebra Moray Eel. They are all 3 feet long the two Ribbons are together and the Zebra is in my 209 gallon tank with many of the Triggs and does great. They always have their bodies completly concealed in the live rock with only their heads sticking out. Both Eels you mentioned are great but I prefer the Zebra (more striking colors in my opinion). Anyway, hope this helps and good luck.

how long did your white ghost ribbon eel take to settle down in your tank? did it go crazy at first trying to escape?