zebra morey eel question

[Stormvillefish]

Thinking about getting a zebra morey eel ... would go into a 135 gallon tank. List of fish and order I plan on putting in the tank is below. Would you add a picasso trigger in the tank before the eel or the eel first? Also, was thinking about putting in a network of black pvc pipe throughout the bottom of the live rock so he could use to get through the rocks instead of going through the actual rock. Is this a good idea? What size pvc piping should I use? Thanks for all your help. Also, any other fish you can think of adding to the list is appreciated.
-Mike

- Mimic Tang
- Harlequin Tusk
- Dog Face Puffer
- Picasso Tang

[vid660]

I've heard very good things about the zebra moray. I was considering one for my 75g but decided they get too big for my tank. Yours sounds perfect.

I tried using PVC tubes with my last snowflake. He seemed to like it, but I ended up taking it out. It was just too much of a pain to clean. As far as diameter, I'd go with larger than the zebra will end up being when full grown. I would guess 3" diameter PVC or so. Someone that owns one should be able to help you out more with that.

[Stormvillefish]

Thanks for the reply vid660. I was concerned about deadspots in the pvc piping but if the eel is going through it wasn't sure if there would be any deadspots. What do you mean about cleaning the pvc? I didn't even think of having to clean it ... what were you cleaning? Anyone else keep these guys ... please chime in.
- Mike

[vid660]

What I mean by cleaning the PVC is it tends to get very dirty inside. Left over food and eel waste. It just builds up. I used a powerhead to blow in one end during water changes. That ended up blowing it all over the tank. After I took the PVC out, my eel just made himself a home out of the LR and seemed just as happy. Since this made life easier on me, it allows me to spend more time enjoying the hobby rather than dreading the next water change time.

[LisaD]

that's a really nice fish list. as long as the eel has hiding spots, you can add at any time. I'd add the eel first, but it doesn't really matter.

I've had my zebra moray a long time, and it's never bothered a fish. the only time I've had problems is when a trigger went after a piece of food at the same time the eel was going after it, and the eel clamped down on the trigger's head.

to avoid this:
1) always feed the fish first (small food items)

2) always feed the eel from a stick - if the trigger or another fish is too interested, either distract with small food on the other side of the tank, or remove the stick until you can get the eel alone

my zebra moray is not nearly as ravenous as my other eel, a Brazilian dragon moray. don't worry if it isn't always out, it'll come out for food when it is hungry. they have really poor vision, I call mine Mr. Magoo. you'll have to hold the food right in front of its face.

[JVITAL55]

You don't need 3" pvc . 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" should be plenty big.

[Stormvillefish]

Thanks again for your replies.

Vid660 - I never thought of the uneaten food or the waste being stuck in the piping and needing to be blown out ... sounds like a pain and messy. Thanks for the heads-up.

LisaD - love the Mr. Magoo reference ... was one of my favorite cartoons growing up as a kid. Wat do you think about the pvc piping ... good or bad idea?

JVital55 - thanks ... if I go with pvc piping ... if 1 1/2" is large enough I will go with the 1 1/2" piping.

-Mike

[LisaD]

I don't use any PVC for my eels, just lots of room in the rocks. They need to be able to easily conceal the entire body in the rocks. I think PVC is more trouble than it's worth.

As to the diameter of PVC, I agree 3" is bigger than necessary, but given the girth of my 3+ foot zebra moray, I'd go with at least 2" PVC if you use it.

[welsher7]

I have a 2" PVC tunnle for my zebra. I had 3" but it never really went in it, i think it was actually to big. Like lisa said always feed with a stick or a pair of tongs, and feed the other fish first. I recently lost a sargassum trigger due the eel mistakenly grabbing it instead of the shrimp even though i always fed with a long feeding stick. be careful and watch the other fish when you feed the eel.