What should I know about zebra eels before I add one?

[virginiadiver69]

I have a 8' 320 gal mixed reef with a PVC cave that runs the whole length of the tank. I wasn't planning on adding one just yet but a local deal has come up that I can't pass on. I've started my research and would like some opinions.

[LisaD]

I've had one for over 10 years --
1) More cryptic than you might like - they don't come out all that much
2) They can be clumsy - be sure your rock is well anchored
3) The safest eel (IMO) to keep with fish
4) Expect occasional hunger strikes
5) Super hardy - I had a tank crash from velvet in 2005, lost all my long term fish, EXCEPT the zebra eel!
6) Will max out at 3-4 ft, mine is just a bit over 3'
7) A really great fish if you can support the bioload, very well behaved

[stump1998]

I've had one for over 10 years --
1) More cryptic than you might like - they don't come out all that much
2) They can be clumsy - be sure your rock is well anchored
3) The safest eel (IMO) to keep with fish
4) Expect occasional hunger strikes
5) Super hardy - I had a tank crash from velvet in 2005, lost all my long term fish, EXCEPT the zebra eel!
6) Will max out at 3-4 ft, mine is just a bit over 3'
7) A really great fish if you can support the bioload, very well behaved

I would say the same about mine. I have had it for 2 years. It is tuff as nails. Mine survived a jump. I don't know how long it was out but I gave it no chance when I found it.

[virginiadiver69]

Thanks for the advice.
Is there another choice that would have the same qualities but be more active in the tank?

[anbosu]

I would get in the habit of stick feeding. They are even worse than snowflakes in their ability to find and eat food by sight. Great looking, hardy fish and definitely one of my favorites. Most eels hide most of the time and the ones that don't tend to be very aggressive and piscivorous, so not ideal tankmates.

[candeewolf]

If you have rockwork and plenty of hiding spots (which is ideal for their health), these guys will not be out swimming. When you see videos of people's eels swimming in the water, thats typically in a tank with not much cover, as well as on a lucky day. Don't let it dismay you though. The best times of having an zebra eel are during feeding times. As Lisa said, they do occaisionally go on hunger strikes, so don't get worried if it hasn't eaten in 2 weeks. Zebra Eels start out very shy and grow accustomed to their tank and their owner fairly quickly. Feeding stick is definitely the way to go for feeding, however over time I was able to get mine to hand-feed. They don't really have teeth, but their gums are somewhat bony for crushing invertebrates. The only drawbacks that I ever see to zebra eels is the space in the tank, bioload (trust me, they make a ton of waste in your skimmer cup), and the inability to keep invertebrates (they love to eat crabs/urchins/clams/shrimp... but they leave starfish alone). If none of those issues are a concern for your tank, I would encourage you to go for it. They are notoriously long-lasting creatures (heard up to 20 years) that can be like a true pet in a reef tank.

[LisaD]

I'll second the suggestions to stick feed ALL eels. I have a Brazilian dragon moray as well, which is out a lot more, but also more aggressive. BTW, my dragon moray, which about 2.5 feet, has been safe with my three angels, grouper and rabbitfish. However, it stalks and tries to kill puffers. And who knows when it figures out that a 4" angel is not that tough? So eventually (should have done it by now!) it will be in its own 90 gallon tank.

To reduce the chance of collateral damage during a feeding frenzy, I stick feed my eels and NEVER feed them fish flesh. They get frozen shrimp, scallops, squid, clams, crabs. Also, for variety, I feed them Ocean Nutrition gel cubes (whole cube on a stick) at least a couple times a week. These cubes, if thawed properly, hold together. The eels gulp them down like candy, and I mix it up - they get Formula 1, Formula 2 (for herbivores), Angel Diet, etc. I just think the variety is helpful, especially since the majority of what they get otherwise is frozen shrimp and scallops.

If you love the eels that are out and about more, have an eel tank with a Brazilian dragon moray, Japanese/Hawaiian dragon, tesselata, etc. These eels are not really fish safe in a community tank. If you want a fish-safe eel in a community tank, get a zebra moray.

Other candidates would be other "pebble toothed" eels that mostly eat inverts, such as the snowflake moray or chain link eels. Snowflakes are very nice, stay a bit smaller, and are a little less shy, IMO than zebra eels. HOWEVER, they are the worst about getting out of the tank and ending up dried up on the floor. They are also a greater risk with fish, so don't keep them with anything that can fit in their mouths. If you keep a snowflake well fed, stick feed, avoid fish flesh, and have bigger fish that can stand up for themselves, a snowflake is a possibility.

If you have a lot of money to burn, look up the rare skeletor eel, which has become occasionally available. The couple that were sold on Liveaquaria Diver's Den went for abot $600.

And as mentioned, bioload with any eels is a big issue, be sure your filtration and maintenance regime can handle it, especially with a reef.

Eels really do become pets. For the bioload reason, I have occasionally considered selling/adopting out my zebra moray, but haven't been able to do it. I've had this eel almost as long as my oldest daughter has been alive, and several years longer than my youngest daughter. I hope when they are out of the house that I'll still have the eel. :)

[FMarini]

cant add much to Lisa's extensive discussion,
so i thought I'd just link an article on husbandry of Zebra eels and other pebble toothed eels
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-12/fm/index.php

[Eric the half-bee]

I'll 5th or 6th the + comments. I found mine locally in a reef setup and got him for $60 @ 18" long. I don't do stick feeding. I started with live crayfish and he would quickly find and dispatch them. Now, I drop a dozen live gulf shrimp in the tank and watch the frenzy. Everybody loves a shrimp dinner.