This Eel

RazorBlade · #1 07/25/2007, 09:26 PM

Is it ever risky when hand feeding a Fire Coral Eel/Gymnothorax miliaris?

95Harley · #2 07/25/2007, 10:21 PM

I own a yellow morph one "Goldentail Moray" and it is even more passive than my SFE. But I would still be careful.

I personally would not be too scared to hand feed mine, but they do have some teeth.

billsreef · #3 07/25/2007, 10:26 PM

It's always risky hand feeding a moray. While the fish predators have good eyesight and will generally eat from your hand without biting you, accidents to happen and sometime you get bit

FishyMel · #4 07/26/2007, 01:09 AM

I wouldn't feed my golden morph by hand when hes at a whopping 30 inches. I fed him by a skewer when he was just a baby though, wouldn't go much closer then that even then.

LukFox · #5 07/26/2007, 06:46 AM

I wouldn't hand feed my miliaris. They have themselves quite a set of teeth, and with hands so close to food I say no way, despite his nature. Using a feeding stick is for the best.

NewKid630 · #6 07/26/2007, 07:20 AM

Mine is full grown and lets me rub his head all the time. now my full grown zebra eel is another story. They have some powerful jaws.

spotfin · #7 07/26/2007, 08:12 AM

I don't feed mine by hand. I hope it doesn't break the end of my feeding stick off.

Osmotic Shock · #8 07/26/2007, 10:14 AM

I hand fed my snowflake when it was small. Got niped once, didn't really hurt. I would never try it now that it is 2 feet long.

wanabebell · #9 07/26/2007, 03:07 PM

lol I wouldnt dare with my jeweled. My zebra when i had him i could pet. I only tried petting my jeweled once, it instantly turned around and tried to bite me. and thats the end of attempting to pet bling bling

95Harley · #10 07/26/2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spotfin
I don't feed mine by hand. I hope it doesn't break the end of my feeding stick off.

My SFE 24"+ did just this, snapped about 2" of a feedig stick right off. I use a steel skewer now. He swallowed it and I didn't find it till several months later in his new tank after a move. Not sure if he passed it or threw it up. But scared me to death.

EdKruzel · #11 07/26/2007, 05:09 PM

Beyond the chance of an accidental bite, comes the chance of infection; those big sharp teeth come packed with a variety of bacteria that many hobbyists find to be quite nasty.

It is always best to practice safety measures around dangerous or toxic animals.