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#1
07/29/2007, 11:38 PM
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I getting fed up with my Eel!!!
I know I probably should post this in the aggressive/FOWLR forum but I know lots of people here have eels too. Im getting really tired of my snowflake eel. Im not really sure what I will do because I like having him but he is constantly biting any fish that comes close. All the fish in the tank are too big for him to eat but he goes for their tails.
I got a new Harlequin Tusk today and the poor thing is very, very stressed because this eel bite and held onto his tail. The Tusk shook frantically and got the eel off but has hid since. Im scared of what the eel might do to him at night... So I figured the eel was maybe just hungry and tried feeding him but he will not eat. Are they this territorial??? I thought snowflakes were suppose to be very peaceful. I am so thankful that he does not have sharp teeth or ALL my fish would be torn up and cut. Im getting to the point where I want him gone and thats kinda sad because I have had him so long and he used to be so peaceful...seems like as soon as he got big and thick, he got really, really aggressive. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks so much. |
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#2
07/30/2007, 10:38 AM
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Are they this territorial? He got the Harlequin Tusk by the base of the tail and has bruised it pretty badly, actually left a dent. Like I said, Im happy I guess that he does not have sharp teeth but his "crushing" jaw is very powerful!
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#3
07/30/2007, 12:59 PM
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You still haven't told us what kind of eel. IMHO eels are best suited to species tanks. I had a snowflake eel that got really large. Everyone talks about how docile they are and they dont attack other fish...blah blah...mine would attack humans and I got rid of mine.
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#4
07/30/2007, 04:09 PM
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In his post he did say what type of eel it is. It's a snowflake.
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#5
07/30/2007, 05:34 PM
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Quote:
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#6
07/30/2007, 05:34 PM
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OK second line, my bad...
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#7
07/30/2007, 05:40 PM
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I have to admit, the first thing that popped into my head upon reading this was, "Why does he have an eel mixed in with his fish?" Don't eels usually make a habit of eating fish? Or am I thinking of something else?
Sounds like you need to 1) feed that guy more, 2) give him more room, or 3) move him to his own tank. |
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#8
07/30/2007, 05:41 PM
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Double post
Last edited by TriniStylez; 07/30/2007 at 05:46 PM. |
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#9
07/30/2007, 05:46 PM
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Ok I can home today after talking to a "eel specialist" in my area who works at the aquarium (and he really knew a lot!) to find my eel with my new 6 inch Harlequin Tusk in its mouth...Tusk was trapped in his mouth and between a rock. I helped him get loose and the Tusk seems ok but thats the last straw!
This eel has all of a sudden stopped taking food I offer him (and I keep trying new things as well as all the old stuff he liked) and hes only interested in fish now! The guy I spoke with laughed when I said I thought they were suppose to be the most gentle and easy to care for eels. He did say that IS true but there is no such thing as a "gentle" unaggressive eel once they get big. Basically, he agreed with what Serioussnaps said above, that they are better suited to species only tanks without fish. Only good thing he said was that at least a 180G is big enough for a snowflake. He said he usually sees them crammed into a 75G or even smaller and they end up stunted and dont live too long. He reminded me that they are fish and how most people would never put a fish that could reach 3 feet into a 75G but for whatever reason its ok with eels. He said it was really common for them to get quite aggressive once they mature and hit the 2-3 year mark, especially if they are healthy and active. My guy is always out and about swimming and exploring, even in the day. So I guess he will not be with me much longer. Tried to catch him already and put him in an empty 65G I have but I think I will have to remove all the LR first...What a pain. |
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#10
07/30/2007, 05:49 PM
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Quote:
Cant really get a bigger tank right now either...its a 180G, although the guy I talked to said that was the best solution too. Most of this sounds like a territorial aggression, not food, so eating more wont help either. |
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#11
07/30/2007, 08:19 PM
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Now I am seeing that the new Tusk is also bothering him and biting...hmmmm. I have heard Tusks can get real aggressive.
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#12
07/30/2007, 08:43 PM
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Can't say I blame the Tusk.
 I hope you didn't take me the wrong way, I wasn't trying to be a smart-@ss. I've read about eels and they're interesting animals, but they do get quite large and they do need their space. Maybe your snowflake won't eat your fish, but it does sound like he can do some damage, and you don't want that either. I am truly sorry that this has become an issue for you now, because it sounds like you've really enjoyed keeping him. Who knows, maybe this is the initial territorial spat and things will settle down. You just hope it can happen without any real harm coming to any of the critters. Lots of luck with it. 
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#13
07/30/2007, 10:04 PM
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Quote:
One thing that I have now learned that is definitely wrong info, is minimum tank size! I am shocked, like I said above, that people keep these guys in anything less than a 90G. Even then, a 3 foot fish in a 3 foot tank??? Doesnt matter that they curl in and out of rocks, they NEED space! Thats one reason the guy who I spoke with thinks most people say they are shy and dont move much, because people keep them in small tanks and they are not happy. I have to agree. |
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#14
07/30/2007, 10:06 PM
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Oh and I dont blame the Tusk at all. I would bite back too. Although, tonight I have noticed that they are getting along ok so far. Both were in the same cave a few minutes ago and no biting. It was NOT the eels cave, so I think he doesnt feel the need to protect it. Im hoping that the fish will learn which cave is the eels and leave it alone because I think he may be just protecting his "home".
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#17
07/30/2007, 11:11 PM
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Well I don't get this either because SFE's are pebble toothed eels which mean they only eat inverts.... The only time they really will attack a fish is when they are REALLY hungry or during feeding time....What are you feeding him and how often. I keep a 18" SFE in my 75gal FOWLR and I feed him every other day until he stops eating. Give us some specifics on how and what you feed him.
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#18
07/31/2007, 12:29 AM
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Thats why I think its a territory problem not a hunger issue...as I have said above, I have realized that it is mostly a problem near his cave.
He eats every two days (all the fish do except the tang, who eats a bit everyday). He eats Prawn, Silversides, Muscles, Clams, Squid, sometimes octopus, and sometimes crabs and snails...I throw in about a dozen hermits for him and the puffers to eat every few weeks. They go nuts and eat em within minutes. He usually eats until he is full but some nights it seems like it will go on forever, so I stop but most nights he eats until he wont take anymore. The Puffers will eat what he doesnt. How long have you had him? This was never a problem for the three years I have kept this eel until now. He would occasionally bite at fish but only small ones. He ate a 4 inch Lionfish about 4 months ago and two clowns a year or so ago. I thought he was already three feet but checking today and measuring as he lay against the glass, he is 2 1/2 feet now. I would say about an inch and a half thick? Anyways, I think I got a very aggressive one but would like to hear from anyone who has had theirs for more than three years to compare. If it makes any difference too, he was already about 2 feet when I got him... |
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#19
07/31/2007, 09:43 AM
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OMG...I have a snowflake eel and I hope I don't have those problems. I did research too and found that they won't bother fish bigger then what he can get in his mouth. Mine has been rather non aggressive. In fact he and my trigger are in love. I have had him since March. He is probably 1' or 1 1/2' and probably 1" thick.
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#20
07/31/2007, 10:31 AM
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Yeah it cant eat any of my fish but he stresses them out. Since the Tusk started biting back with his sharp teeth, the eel has actually calmed down. I think this may work itself out over time.
Sounds like your snowflake is fine though. They are not all like mine. Mine came to me so big already at 2 feet, so he must be pretty old now too. I guess the 3 years I have had him plus a few more. |
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#22
07/31/2007, 11:13 AM
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It was funny to eat eel and then come home to see my eel swimming around my tank. Good idea but I really like this guy and think I may not eat him. |
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