Best eel in reef tank

[MrCrab]

I was just wondring what would be the best eel to be housed in a reef tank that will not eat my fish.

[Shawn Lipon]

I dont think any eel .Unless its very small.5-6 in . They will eat shrimp, snails, crabs, clams and almost everything.Not realy suitable for reef as they damage and not over corals and eat all the members of ur clean up crews.

[sphelps]

I disagree; many eels will do just fine in a reef tank. Never seen an eel eat a crab, snail or clam. Corals are 100% safe. Only concerns would be shrimp and small fish, and these are not required in reef tanks.

Ribbons: small fish and shrimp would be a concern, the white ribbon would probably be the least likely to eat fish and shrimp. I had a ribbon eel with a mandarin and Sebae clown for a year with no problems.

Snowflakes and other similar morays: these guys seem to work totally on smell and “stress sensing”. They only seem to go for live fish if the fish is stressed, shrimp probably wouldn't last long but even smaller fish MAY be OK.

I also find eels to be very tranquil, never seen one knock anything over.

My choice for a reef tank would be a ribbon eel.

Oh, and here's proof, too ribbons in a reef tank, it has hermit craps soft and LPS corals. Keep in mind it's a new project.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Picture001-1.jpg

[Jon123]

Ive seen quite a few reef tanks with the white ribbon eels. There is also a species of golden dwarf eel, Gymnothorax melatremus I believe that maxes at about 12" and pencil thickness and is completely safe to ALL inverts and fish. They are rare and go for about $200 I believe at J and L. A google search should give some pix if I spelt it right haha, dont quote me. Anyways, I have personally had a snowflake moray eat an emerald crab before it hit the sandbed after releasing it from the bag. I have also had moray mouth sized 1/2 moon shaped peices missing in long finned fish like yellow tangs.... If you have an eel Id certainly recommend firmly attaching all corals with some type of adhesive as eels become extremely active at night and during feeding and may tip things over. Also keep in mind that youll need a powerful means of reducing nitrates as eels produce alot of wastes.

Jon

[sphelps]

Yes I've seen some fin nipping from my morays as well, but it seems to be just confusion at feeding time as they go pretty much of smell. Never did any serious damage though.

[stinga]

:yes: anyone ever eat eel?bet it's nice!

[MrCrab]

Thank you

i was just wondiring down the road where could i buy a nice ribbion eel and ohh yha there is a Blue,Black at white ribbon eels wich one is best.

thank you
MrCrab/Trevor

[Jon123]

Blues, blacks, and yellows are actually all the same species, Rhinomureana quaesita. Blues are mature males, yellows are mature females, and blacks are juveniles. They should pretty much be considered impossible to keep in captivity due to feeding complications (most refuse all food for unknown reasons, probably stress from shipping).

The white ribbon eel is a completely different species, Pseudechidna brummeri and really has no relation to the other ribbon eel besides the "ribbony" appearance. They are known to be much hardier and actually accept most meaty foods.

Jon