Dwarf Golden Moray Eel in a reef

[tanya72806]

Whos has 'em ????

[Texsun]

I did.

[tanya72806]

How did it do in your reef ? what did you feed it ?

[Texsun]

It did fine until it decided to go carpet surfing. Given their small size, golden dwarfs can pretty much squeeze out of even the tiniest opening. Fed it ghost shrimp but didn't have the chance to train it to take frozen.

[-jjla-]

I have one. It eats thawed krill so far. It's a model reef citizen. I have egg crate on the tank as a lid to keep it in the tank.

-jjla-

[LukFox]

I have one in a semi-ish reef because I wanted things to be simpler. Used to be a full mixed reef and things were still fine. I just feed her prawn, fish, clam, etc.

[John Dawe]

I have had 3 in the past, the first one for about 2.5 years, a small one, pencile size, could only get it to eat baby green chromis and peperment shrimp, the 2nd one was about 12 inches, had that one for about 3 yrs, feed it squid on wood skewer, did not eat for the first 6 weeks I had it, injured by a rock that fill on its head and died 4 months later. Had a 3rd one for a week, very small, got out of a small hole in the QT tank. Yes, they are reef safe, execpt for very small fish, under 1 inch and maybe shrimp.

[RGBMatt]

Originally posted by -jjla-
I have one. It eats thawed krill so far. It's a model reef citizen. I have egg crate on the tank as a lid to keep it in the tank.

-jjla-

Egg crate may not be sufficient to keep a dwarf eel inside. They are master escape artists and will squeeze through any hole small enough to get their head through.

[-jjla-]

Originally posted by RGBMatt
Egg crate may not be sufficient to keep a dwarf eel inside. They are master escape artists and will squeeze through any hole small enough to get their head through.

Thanks for the comment, I was told it should work but actually I don't quite trust it myself. What should I use for a cover? Glass?

-jjla-

[zuzecawi]

Why not use plastic mesh? There's a few people on boards who use fine plastic mesh. I think I saw the thread over in the sps forum.

[zemuron114]

eggcrate wont work. I had one ( a big one) that fit through a chopstick size hole... They ONLY hole i had in my tank. I was very upset since it was the actually gold morph of it.

Fine mesh is the only way to keep them in. Once acclimated they will eat pretty much anything (including small gobies and pistol shrimp)

[-jjla-]

Could someone explain the type of mesh. Is it like the screen door stuff or is it different. There is a 150w HQI 8'' above where the mesh will be. I just wonder if it would melt.

Thanks, -jjla-

[zemuron114]

you can get it at aquaticeco. Different sizes and such. I recommend the 1/8" size holes. The only problem is you have to buy a big role i think. Maybe they can cut you a piece to your liking

It shouldn't melt..its tough stuff.

[-jjla-]

Originally posted by zemuron114
you can get it at aquaticeco. Different sizes and such. I recommend the 1/8" size holes. The only problem is you have to buy a big role i think. Maybe they can cut you a piece to your liking

It shouldn't melt..its tough stuff.

Thanks, -jjla-

[John Dawe]

I picked up a pair just over 2 months ago, they are both full size, about 12 inches and are eating squid and shrimp off a acrylic feeding stick. Had to put in 2 little damsles to get them to feed and then leave in food over night until they started eating. They were at the local wholesaler for at least a month and on the thin side. One is a much more aggresive eater than the other.

[myerst2]

I have a Melatramus coming tomorrow. He's going into a Fowlr. Will post pics when he arrives. The one I'm getting eats frozen already. I will post pics tomorrow.

[tanya72806]

Hey any of you guys using this mesh have sps in there tanks ? If so are you noticing shading from it with the MH's ?

[John Dawe]

The 2 eels that I have are in a tank with a lid and a lead dive weight holding it down. They are very good escape artists. Several years ago I did have one (about 12 inches) in a open 150 g rubber maid tube for about a year and a half, but the water was always at least 8 inches from the rim. If you have the euro bracing on the inside of the tank that is at least 3 to 4 inches wide and don't have any electric wires coming out, a small eel should not be able to escape. But then again, if you put one in a 5 gallon bucket with 6 inches of water in it, I have seen them try to jump out and they almost make it. When I look at the eels at 4 or 5 am when I get up for work, there is usually one swiming around the tank, either looking for food or a way out?
So, NO, I have not tried the mesh, if its fine enough it should work

[myerst2]

Here's my new melatramus. Got a great deal on him. I know of a diver that deals directly to the public. He's made friends with the snowflake. Tim
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21956160@N07/2147475894/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21956160@N07/2146680779/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21956160@N07/2147475814/