A few care notes for generalized freshwater eel care:
- Eels are carnivores, so freshwater eel food is primarily made up of proteins like brine shrimp, bloodworms, worms, and other insects and crustaceans.
- Freshwater eel size varies significantly from species to species. ...
- Freshwater eels, whether cold water or tropical eels, have specific water parameters you must keep to care for them properly. ...
What to feed my snowflake eel?
What's yours?
- Yes I love them. Votes: 433 68.9%
- Yes but not by choice...can't eliminate them. Votes: 34 5.4%
- No never. Votes: 44 7.0%
- No but I want to add some in the future. Votes: 70 11.1%
- Other. Votes: 26 4.1%
- I like them but can't keep them alive. Votes: 21 3.3% See comments… Adding a Black Hawaiian Trigger to Clown Trigger ? Cycling with fish = fish died why??
Are snowflake eels considered "reef safe?
The Snowflake Eel is not considered reef safe though, due to it's predatory nature, it will eat any small fish or invert that will fit into it's mouth. Therefor should be housed with proper tank mates, to ensure your marine life does not become Eel food.
What fishes can I put with a snowflake moray eel?
- If you are feeding your eel from your hand, wear protective gloves since it can inflict a non-poisonous, painful bite.
- Avoid keeping them in reef aquariums as they can be heavy water polluters (especially by poops).
- Avoid feeding them with freshwater feeder fish (e.g. ...
What kind of eels are edible?
eel is edible in two ways: freshwater eel or unagi, and marine eel. What Type Of Eel Do We Eat? Food types. In Japanese cuisine, freshwater eel (unagi) and marine eel (anago, conger eel) are commonly used; foods such as unadon and unajuu are popular but expensive.
How often should you feed a snowflake eel?
Feed a small eel every couple of days, large one twice a week.
What can I feed my snowflake moray eel?
Diet of the Snowflake Eel Snowflake eels have a carnivorous diet and they need to be fed about two to three times a week. They can eat pieces of fresh or frozen clams, crab, fish, mussels, octopus, scallops, shrimp and squid. They also can eat dried or frozen krill.
How do you care for a snowflake eel?
The Snowflake Eel is one of the smallest and easiest to care for species in the hobby. It is a very hardy eel that is also affordable and beautiful. So long as you keep their water well filtered and feed them frequently, they will become one of the most interesting fish you'll ever own.
What should I feed my pet eel?
6:1410:04Keeping a Large Fire Eel as a Very Interesting Pet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHope that I give them a little bit of food. The ball of sharks I just give them pelleted floating.MoreHope that I give them a little bit of food. The ball of sharks I just give them pelleted floating. Food fire eels do not care much at all for prepared foods. This one takes a variety of meaty foods
How do you feed a small snowflake eel?
0:190:53Feeding A Snowflake Eel | Beginner Guide To Saltwater AquariumsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey don't see very well needs to go by sin and your finger is not much different than than the fishMoreThey don't see very well needs to go by sin and your finger is not much different than than the fish. So anyways I take a little skewer here quick just stick through here.
How long can snowflake eels go without eating?
Don't worry about it, eels can go weeks without food as long as they are healthy. If it hasn't eaten for a week or two, try live food, ghost shrimp is a good bet.
How do I get my snowflake eel to eat?
You want to feed him chunks with a tong or stick, you weren't hoping he would take mysis out of the water column; they won't. They would usually go nuts over squid; shrimp, octopus, silversides, even krill.
What do baby snowflake eels eat?
As pets in captivity, snowflake moray eels are often given diverse menus of meaty stuff -- think relatively big bits of diced crabs, mussels, scallops, clams, shrimp and krill. Bits of marine fish flesh are also often fed to snowflake moray eels. Both thawed frozen and fresh meats are suitable for the species.
How long can snowflake eels be out of water?
mine went 6 hours out of water, heard of them going longer as well. mine escaped the first night I had him. When i found him he looked like a peice of beef jerky. He survived it though.
Can eels eat fish food?
These may contain ingredients such as beef livers, tubifex worms, and fish meal. Eel feed may also contain ingredients such as binders, wheat, starch, soybean meal, corn, vegetable or animal fat, minerals and vitamins. Tubifex worms, chopped clam, and fish meal are used as a starter diet for young eels, called elvers.
Can you feed eels bread?
Malnourishment – Bread is like junk food for birds, eels and fish. Wildlife naturally feed on a range of vegetation, insects and fish. Eating human food like bread, rather than their natural diet can cause malnourishment and make them sick.
Can snowflake eels live in freshwater?
Simple. The Echidna nebulosa is a saltwater Snowflake Moray Eel. If you see this name attached to an Eel being sold as a "Freshwater Snowflake," it's most likely not one.
How long can snowflake eels live out of water?
mine went 6 hours out of water, heard of them going longer as well. mine escaped the first night I had him. When i found him he looked like a peice of beef jerky. He survived it though.
How big will a snowflake eel get?
In the wild, it can grow to 39 inches; most captive specimens will not exceed 24 inches. This is a very hardy eel, but an escape artist. A 50 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock and a tightly fit canopy is ideal. Most of the eels that are lost in an aquarium are due to poorly sealed tanks.
How to keep eels safe?
Keep in an appropriate size aquarium; a well-sealed aquarium lid is mandatory as eels can easily escape. Provide hiding places and plenty of room to swim. Use of copper-based medications is toxic to eels. Stable water quality and parameters are critical to the health of aquatic life.
Can freshwater eels smell?
Freshwater Eel. Freshwater Eels have an excellent sense of smell but can't see very well. Eels have an elongated, snake-like body and vary in size and coloration. They open their jaws to allow water over their gills for breathing. Recommended for experienced aquarists.
What genus is a snowflake eel?
Known by several names such as clouded moray, nebulous moray eel, and starry moray, the snowflake moray eel belongs to the Echidna genus. PetPonder provides snowflake eel care info, focusing on aspects such as the size of the aquarium, compatible tank mates, and the eating habits of the snowflake eel.
How big do snowflake eels grow?
✦ Snowflake eels can grow up to 90 cm/36 inches. They can easily outgrow a small-sized aquarium, which is why they should be placed in a tank or aquarium of a suitable size. To be on the safer side, place them in an aquarium with the capacity of 75 gallons.
Where do snowflake moray eels live?
Snowflake moray eels are true eels that are native to Indo-Pacific, Baja, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Hawaii. They belong to the Muraenidae family, which includes about 120 species of marine eels that live in shallow tropical and subtropical waters.
Can you feed a snowflake moray eel freshwater fish?
Don’t feed it freshwater fish. It prefers live food, which is why it might take time to adjust to frozen food. Its diet can include fresh or frozen meaty food items such as: On a concluding note, the snowflake moray eel is one of the easier moray eels to keep due to its manageable size.
Can you keep two snowflake moray eels together?
If you are planning to keep two snowflake moray eels in the tank, put them into the tank at the same time. ✦ Because these eels are not very aggressive, two snowflake eels can be kept together. However, there should be ample space in the tank. ✦ Mostly, these eels exhibit aggressive behavior only while feeding.
Do snowflake eels eat fish?
So, refrain from placing fish that can be swallowed. Snowflake eels are less likely to feed on smaller fish, if they are fed properly. So, pay attention to their diet.
Do snowflake eels swim in water?
Their skin secretes protective mucus that helps them swim through water. Unlike the nineteen species and six subspecies of freshwater eels belonging to the Anguillidae family that only move to the sea or oceans to reproduce, marine eels such as snowflake eels prefer brackish water.
What do freshwater eels eat?
They like bloodworms, red wigglers, nightcrawlers, and small invertebrates like shrimp and snails. Meaty foods should make up the bulk of a freshwater eel’s diet.
How big can a half banded spiny eel get?
They can exceed 3 feet in length, so they outgrow most people’s home tanks. Half Banded Spiny Eel. Also not true eels, these fish only reach around 8 inches in length at maturity. This makes them a great eel-like option for home aquariums since they are not likely to outgrow most tank environments.
How big do peacock eels get?
They only reach around 12 inches in length , so they are more manageable than some other options. Fire Eel.
What is the name of the fish that is marketed as eels?
Here are some of the fish you may see under the “eel” name in fish stores. Tire Track Eel. Named for the patterns across their body, these eels are ray-finned fish that are marketed as eels but are not true eels. They are also sometimes called the Zig Zag eel.
What is a rice eel?
Rice Eel. Not true eels, Rice eels are also called Asian Swamp eels. They are known to inhabit rice paddies and are air breathers. These fish have become an invasive species in places like Florida thanks to irresponsible ownership in the aquatics trade.
Is an eel a fish?
Credit: ABS Natural History, Shutterstock. Freshwater eels are ray-finned fish that are often misunderstood. There are lots of fish that are often associated with being eels, like Kuhli loaches, Black Ghost Knifefish, and even Electric Eels, but they are not truly eels.
Where do eels live in a tank?
Eels usually inhabit the tank floor and the lowest part of the water column. This means that they can be great tank mates in a tank with fish that inhabit the middle and upper parts of the water column without venturing too far into the lower water column.
The 12 things you should consider before buying a Snowflake Eel pet
Snowflake eels have as many names as they have unique characteristics. These fantastic fish are also known as snowflake morays, clouded moray eels, white and zebra moray eels, starry eels, floral eels, and Bosch’s eels. All these attempt to describe the gorgeous color pattern of the snowflake eel.
5 things you need to do to prepare for a Snowflake eel pet
The first and most important step is getting the right aquarium for your fish. Snowflake moray eels need a lot of space when they are adults but they can live in smaller aquariums when they are still tiny.
The 6 keys to success for any Snowflake Eel owner
Snowflake eels are both carnivores and nocturnal so you’ll need to feed your pet in the evening. The easiest and best meals to offer your eel include frozen or freeze-dried fish, shrimp, krill, squid, octopus, clams, krill feeder fish, and scallops.
How long do moray eels live in freshwater?
Some species such as Gymnothorax polyurandon and Echidna rhodochilus may live up to two years in a tank with hard freshwater. However, Gymnothorax tile has a much shorter life expectancy in that water.
What are some misconceptions about freshwater moray eels?
Freshwater Habitat Misconceptions. The most common misconception about freshwater moray eels lies in its own name -- the "freshwater" aspect.While it may be easy to see a moray eel being sold as a "freshwater" moray eel and assume that it's a species that's acclimated to living in freshwater, this isn't true at all.
Why are my moray eels dead?
Quite a few eels are found dead on the floor due to small openings in tank lids. If you happen to find your moray eel on the floor, scoop them up with a net as soon as possible and place them back into their tank. Freshwater moray eels are relatively inactive eels compared to other moray species.
How big do moray eels get?
This is one of the smallest moray eel species and tends to reach around 14 inches in length. There are several other species of moray eels that can be found in brackish and fresh water, often being referred to as freshwater moray eels. However, these eels are almost never seen in the pet trade.
What is the name of the freshwater moray eel?
This species has several different names, including "Indian mud moray", "gold dust moray ", and "snowflake eel".
Why do moray eels spawn in freshwater?
In reality, most freshwater moray eels simply enter freshwater for a few weeks for food, to remove saltwater parasites, and to spawn.
What to do if your moray eel refuses to eat?
If your moray simply refuses to eat, there are a few things that you can do. First of all, turning off the lights tends to help make the eel feel more confident in leaving its cave. Dangling the food right in front of the moray eel's eyes will make the food extremely easy to spot and quite tempting to eat. YouTube.
Overview
Typical Freshwater Eel Appearance and Behavior
- Usually inactive during the day
- Primarily nocturnal (active at night) but may venture out under lower lighting as they become comfortable with the environment
- Live in holes and caves or bury themselves in nonabrasive substrates
- Some can be aggressive and eat smaller tank mates
Habitat
- Habitat size
Keep freshwater eels in an appropriately sized aquarium based on the adult size of the species selected; these can range from 29 gallons for smaller species or juveniles to 125 gallons or more for larger species. A well-sealed aquarium lid is mandatory as eels can easily escape. - Building your pet’s habitat
1. Water health: 1.1. Provide proper filtrationto ensure optimal water quality to help maintain health. Moderate to strong water circulation should be provided to mimic water currents and high oxygen levels found in the eels' natural habitat. 1.2. Stable water quality(pH, ammonia, nitrate, ni…
Feeding
- What to feed your freshwater eel
Freshwater eels are primarily carnivores, but some may accept small amounts of vegetative matter. A well-balanced eel diet consists of high-protein foods, such as frozen and freeze-dried bloodworms, krill or brine shrimp, and live foods, such as earthworms and black worms. T…
Eel Care
- Water care: Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your eels healthy
- Introduce new inhabitants to the aquarium gradually. Eels may be housed with most larger fish that cannot be eaten; most eels will be aggressive with their own kind and should be housed singly
- Water care: Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your eels healthy
- Introduce new inhabitants to the aquarium gradually. Eels may be housed with most larger fish that cannot be eaten; most eels will be aggressive with their own kind and should be housed singly
- Avoid overcrowded conditions, which are a major cause of stress and disease
- Ensure your eel has hiding places in their aquarium and that their diet is appropriate for their species
Where to Buy
- Various freshwater eels are available at select Petco locations. Offerings varies by location, so call ahead to check availability. Freshwater eel supplies 1. Appropriate size aquarium 2. Appropriate food (dry and frozen) 3. Hiding décor 4. Live plants 5. Artificial plants 6. Water conditioner 7. Filter 8. Water test kit 9. Hood 10. Aquarium net 11. Thermometer 12. Freshwater …
Aquarium Mates
- Freshwater eels can be kept with larger community fish; keep only one eel per aquarium. Eels can live harmoniously with angelfish, gourami and rainbow fishbut may try to eat fish that fit in their mouth.
Health
- Signs of a healthy eel 1. Clear eyes 2. Remains on or near the bottom of the aquarium 3. Eats vigorously 4. Smooth coloration 5. Free of parasites or disease Red flags(If you notice any of these signs, contact your local aquatic specialist or veterinarian.) 1. Loss of color 2. Loss of appetite 3. Spots or fungus on body or mouth 4. Listlessness 5. Cloudy eyes 6. Frayed fins 7. La…
FAQs
- Are freshwater eels fish?Yes; although they are called eels, freshwater eels are fish.
- What do freshwater eels eat?Freshwater eels are carnivorous and need high-protein foods, such as frozen and freeze-dried bloodworms, krill or brine shrimp, or live foods, such as earthworms and bla...
- Where do freshwater eels live?This can vary by species, but many are found in Southeast Asia.
- Are freshwater eels fish?Yes; although they are called eels, freshwater eels are fish.
- What do freshwater eels eat?Freshwater eels are carnivorous and need high-protein foods, such as frozen and freeze-dried bloodworms, krill or brine shrimp, or live foods, such as earthworms and bla...
- Where do freshwater eels live?This can vary by species, but many are found in Southeast Asia.
- How long do freshwater eels live?Life span can vary by species but can range from 5 to 18 years with proper care.
Additional Care Sheets
- Angelfish Care Sheet
- Gourami and Paradise Fish Care Sheet
- Rainbow Fish Care Sheet