Banana eel not eating

Josh193 · 01/08/2018, 10:06 PM

So I got a banana eel off DD a couple months ago he was eating every other day up until about about a month ago I'm not sure why he stopped and I've tried everything to get him to eat but no luck and he's swimming like he's hungry everyday I really don't want him starve so any suggestions on how to get him to end his hunger strike would be greatly appreciated

rfgonzo · 01/09/2018, 09:20 PM

What was it eating before it stopped? Did you try feeding anything else? My JDM eel stops eating from time to time over the years. One time for 3 plus months then bam back to a eating machine. If it looks healthy it will more then likely be fine. I would keep trying to feed every day and offer different foods.

Alexmmix111 · 01/09/2018, 09:40 PM

My snowflake did this too but sadly he starved himself to death and i dont know why. The water was good and I tried a varied diet but he never seemed interested

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Josh193 · 01/10/2018, 02:56 PM

He was eating shrimp and since he stopped eating I've tried shrimp, krill, squid and silversides he won't eat any of it. He looks healthy just don't want him to starve

Josh193 · 01/10/2018, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexmmix111

My snowflake did this too but sadly he starved himself to death and i dont know why. The water was good and I tried a varied diet but he never seemed interested

He seems interested when I put food in the water he starts to swim around but won't eat

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Cliving1 · 01/10/2018, 04:16 PM

Try to vary its diet. I agree with the above, they can go for long periods without eating, and then resume like its normal. Of course this is not the ideal case. Any new additions, equipment changes, water quality changes?

Josh193 · 01/11/2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliving1

Try to vary its diet. I agree with the above, they can go for long periods without eating, and then resume like its normal. Of course this is not the ideal case. Any new additions, equipment changes, water quality changes?

Since he stopped I've tried a variety of food with no luck.
I did add a snowflake eel recently but he's disappeared other than that everything is the same

scooter31707 · 01/11/2018, 12:49 PM

When you say it was eating every other day, how much? It could just be satisfied right now.

Mr. Eel · 01/11/2018, 02:30 PM

You could try krill, because I was trying to feed my snowflake shrimp and clam for awhile and the only food that got him to eat was the frozen krill.

Josh193 · 01/11/2018, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

When you say it was eating every other day, how much? It could just be satisfied right now.

When he was eating he would eat a whole shrimp every other day. Satisfied for over a month though?

Josh193 · 01/11/2018, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Eel

You could try krill, because I was trying to feed my snowflake shrimp and clam for awhile and the only food that got him to eat was the frozen krill.

Tried it he completely ignores it

rfgonzo · 01/11/2018, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh193

When he was eating he would eat a whole shrimp every other day. Satisfied for over a month though?

As I said before my Dragon went 3 plus mo's without eating. 1 month is not that long for a eel. They can slow down their metabolism and conserve energy big time. As a eel owner it can be scary to watch because natural reaction is to make sure your eel is well taken of. Give it time.....

SMR45 · 03/01/2018, 08:15 PM

I have a banana eel that stopped eating as well. He used to love krill (and was a veracious eater) but now rejects it even though I dangle it in front of his face with tongs. He seems to want it but doesn't grab it. And when he does he swings his head around and the krill comes free and the other fish eat it.

Have to say I'm very worried. Now I notice he is wrapping himself around my rocks and kind of hanging the last few days - he never did that before. I've had him for about five years or so and he has thrived until now.

Any ideas - should I try a different food?

rfgonzo · 03/02/2018, 11:02 AM

How long has it been since your eel stopped eating? How is water quality?

ca1ore · 03/02/2018, 12:54 PM

Eels can be a pain. My current zebra eel only eats cooked shrimp. Not ideal, but it refuses everything else; or did until last night when it finally at a raw clam. A balanced, garlic-free diet is always best for healthy fish.

Tripod1404 · 03/02/2018, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Eels can be a pain. My current zebra eel only eats cooked shrimp. Not ideal, but it refuses everything else; or did until last night when it finally at a raw clam. A balanced, garlic-free diet is always best for healthy fish.

I also only eat cooked shrimp and eat raw clams and oysters.

SMR45 · 03/02/2018, 07:35 PM

I've noticed his eating change over the last three months. He ate a bit of krill that I fed him from tongs every day for years. Over the last three months he started to only eat every few days even though I offered him food every day ( I know they don't need to eat ever day but he was so eager to eat before and I didn't think much of it at the time). Over the last six weeks or so he started to eat less and less frequently - maybe once or twice a week. At this point I don't think he's eaten in over two weeks.

He actually looked interested to eat yesterday and today but couldn't manage to grab it even though I put it right in front of him.

Water parameter are all the same - nothing has changed.

Any thoughts?

Tripod1404 · 03/02/2018, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMR45

I've noticed his eating change over the last three months. He ate a bit of krill that I fed him from tongs every day for years. Over the last three months he started to only eat every few days even though I offered him food every day ( I know they don't need to eat ever day but he was so eager to eat before and I didn't think much of it at the time). Over the last six weeks or so he started to eat less and less frequently - maybe once or twice a week. At this point I don't think he's eaten in over two weeks.

He actually looked interested to eat yesterday and today but couldn't manage to grab it even though I put it right in front of him.

Water parameter are all the same - nothing has changed.

Any thoughts?

Tried to feed him during the night? Like really "night", few hours after all light are off.

rfgonzo · 03/03/2018, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMR45

I've noticed his eating change over the last three months. He ate a bit of krill that I fed him from tongs every day for years. Over the last three months he started to only eat every few days even though I offered him food every day ( I know they don't need to eat ever day but he was so eager to eat before and I didn't think much of it at the time). Over the last six weeks or so he started to eat less and less frequently - maybe once or twice a week. At this point I don't think he's eaten in over two weeks.

He actually looked interested to eat yesterday and today but couldn't manage to grab it even though I put it right in front of him.

Water parameter are all the same - nothing has changed.

Any thoughts?

I would just keep an eye on him. Eel can go a long time without food. Take a look at it's eye's and make sure they are clear and not foggy. He should be ok IMO

rygar · 03/04/2018, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh193

So I got a banana eel off DD a couple months ago he was eating every other day up until about about a month ago I'm not sure why he stopped and I've tried everything to get him to eat but no luck and he's swimming like he's hungry everyday I really don't want him starve so any suggestions on how to get him to end his hunger strike would be greatly appreciated

I have a Kidako eel who wasn't coming out to eat one day. Eels eyesite is very bad, but their smell is very good so I put a few drops of zooplankton in the water and on the food as a soak.
Came back a few minutes later and he was going nuts looking for food. Problem solved. Now I put a couple drops in every time. Works great.

aldiver311 · 04/30/2018, 07:10 PM

Ive had a few banana eels over the years and have delt with the not eating. Be
careful treating the tank with any medications copper, prazipro, etc or severe PH swings, moving the rocks around etc. They will lose there appetite. When I catch the Caribbean yellow tail eels basically the same eel they will not eat sometimes for months at first while in QT. If other fish in the tank bully them they stop eating also. Not sure if any of these situation apply but they are very timid animals.Hope this helps . I have lost 1 banana eel from starvation took 8 months. It also never ate from the first day, if your eel was eating in your tank there is a very good chance it will start eating again. Just be patient they have very slow metabolisms . Just remember the more you move things around the tank and add stress to it the longer it will take. good luck

01/08/2018, 10:06 PM	#1
Josh193 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 12	Banana eel not eating So I got a banana eel off DD a couple months ago he was eating every other day up until about about a month ago I'm not sure why he stopped and I've tried everything to get him to eat but no luck and he's swimming like he's hungry everyday I really don't want him starve so any suggestions on how to get him to end his hunger strike would be greatly appreciated

01/09/2018, 09:20 PM	#2
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	What was it eating before it stopped? Did you try feeding anything else? My JDM eel stops eating from time to time over the years. One time for 3 plus months then bam back to a eating machine. If it looks healthy it will more then likely be fine. I would keep trying to feed every day and offer different foods. __________________ 210 gal reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 Gal sump mixed reef 100 gal Reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 gal sump. SPS/LPS & 100 gal Japanese Dragon Moray eel tank with 40 gal sump 75 gal Brazilian Dragon Mor

01/11/2018, 02:30 PM	#9
Mr. Eel Best eel owner in the US Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 149	You could try krill, because I was trying to feed my snowflake shrimp and clam for awhile and the only food that got him to eat was the frozen krill. __________________ Current Tank Info: My house is a fish tank Current Tank Info: 125 gal reef tank 50gal Fo 50 gal Mixed reef

03/02/2018, 11:02 AM	#14
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	How long has it been since your eel stopped eating? How is water quality? __________________ 210 gal reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 Gal sump mixed reef 100 gal Reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 gal sump. SPS/LPS & 100 gal Japanese Dragon Moray eel tank with 40 gal sump 75 gal Brazilian Dragon Mor

03/02/2018, 12:54 PM	#15
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Eels can be a pain. My current zebra eel only eats cooked shrimp. Not ideal, but it refuses everything else; or did until last night when it finally at a raw clam. A balanced, garlic-free diet is always best for healthy fish. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

01/09/2018, 09:40 PM	#3
Alexmmix111 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 35	My snowflake did this too but sadly he starved himself to death and i dont know why. The water was good and I tried a varied diet but he never seemed interested Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/10/2018, 02:56 PM	#4
Josh193 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 12	He was eating shrimp and since he stopped eating I've tried shrimp, krill, squid and silversides he won't eat any of it. He looks healthy just don't want him to starve

01/10/2018, 04:16 PM	#6
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	Try to vary its diet. I agree with the above, they can go for long periods without eating, and then resume like its normal. Of course this is not the ideal case. Any new additions, equipment changes, water quality changes?

01/11/2018, 12:49 PM	#8
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	When you say it was eating every other day, how much? It could just be satisfied right now.

03/01/2018, 08:15 PM	#13
SMR45 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 30	I have a banana eel that stopped eating as well. He used to love krill (and was a veracious eater) but now rejects it even though I dangle it in front of his face with tongs. He seems to want it but doesn't grab it. And when he does he swings his head around and the krill comes free and the other fish eat it. Have to say I'm very worried. Now I notice he is wrapping himself around my rocks and kind of hanging the last few days - he never did that before. I've had him for about five years or so and he has thrived until now. Any ideas - should I try a different food?

03/02/2018, 07:35 PM	#17
SMR45 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 30	I've noticed his eating change over the last three months. He ate a bit of krill that I fed him from tongs every day for years. Over the last three months he started to only eat every few days even though I offered him food every day ( I know they don't need to eat ever day but he was so eager to eat before and I didn't think much of it at the time). Over the last six weeks or so he started to eat less and less frequently - maybe once or twice a week. At this point I don't think he's eaten in over two weeks. He actually looked interested to eat yesterday and today but couldn't manage to grab it even though I put it right in front of him. Water parameter are all the same - nothing has changed. Any thoughts?

04/30/2018, 07:10 PM	#21
aldiver311 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 632	Ive had a few banana eels over the years and have delt with the not eating. Be careful treating the tank with any medications copper, prazipro, etc or severe PH swings, moving the rocks around etc. They will lose there appetite. When I catch the Caribbean yellow tail eels basically the same eel they will not eat sometimes for months at first while in QT. If other fish in the tank bully them they stop eating also. Not sure if any of these situation apply but they are very timid animals.Hope this helps . I have lost 1 banana eel from starvation took 8 months. It also never ate from the first day, if your eel was eating in your tank there is a very good chance it will start eating again. Just be patient they have very slow metabolisms . Just remember the more you move things around the tank and add stress to it the longer it will take. good luck