Snowflake Eel

Hi, been a while since I posted something, I generally just read and roll my eyes....j/k. Well, I wanted something a little different for my tank and got a snowflake eel. I've had him for about a week now, but I don't see much of him. I was able to feed him krill once, but that is all I've seen him eat so far. Is it pretty common for them to hide for a while before establishing a home and coming out regularly or even during feeding times?

 

Yes, definitely. I've not seen many come in that don't go on a hunger strike for up to a month before finally adjusting and beginning to come out and eat. They can go up to two months in the wild without eating though, so just take your time and let it get acclimated.

 

I figured that might happen, but wasn't sure. I did see him roaming around a few days ago and took the opportunity to almost hand feed him. Tough part is getting the krill to him before my fish attack it. I was also thinking of putting some in a hole in the live rock that only he would be able to get to. Is that a bad idea?

 

Its not a bad idea as long as he finds it. Put it in a place you can see so if he doesn't eat it you can remove it before it fouls up the water.
Also, I was thinking of getting a snowflake myself. If you don't mind me asking, what size tank is he in and what other fish do you have with him?

 

60 gallon.

Coral Beauty
Yellow Wrasse
Red Hooded Fairy Wrasse
Maroon clown
3 zebra gobies
Snowflake Eel

 

I love my my snowflake eel, once yours get used to its surroundings and digs his tunnels im sure you will be seeing a lot more of him

 

I was thinking about putting one in with a dwarf lionfish (either fu manchu or fuzzy dwarf.... haven't decided yet)

Are you worried that he might take a nip at your smaller fish?

 

Not really. He is the size of a pencil now and I think as long as he is well fed he should be ok. Maybe the gobies have something to worry about though since they also live under the rocks!

I have a few crabs he might go after later, but I think an eel is worth having over a crab.

 

Oh you have a TINY guy. hehe. The one at my LFS is already about 16" long and as thick as your thumb. He is eating whole silversides so i'm sure a small goby would make a nice snack (if he could catch it)

 

hahaha yeah a small goby or fire fish makes a nice expensive snack the guy that gave me my snowflake eel actually gave it to me because it ate his pair of Helfrichi Firefish!!!!
that was an expensive snack haha and mines only about 18 inches long and a little thicker than my thumb