Snowflake Eel

Nice fish omard...

 

I am jealous as i want one in my tank.. my LFS said it would be about $70+ to get one in... even a small one... too bad Love yours though, looks great!

 

Snowflake Eel Info

- Your LFS is overcharging!

Snowflake Eel ​

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Echidna nebulosa​

(Added to Nano - 16 December 2007)​

((MarineDepot))
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443734
$20.00
size: SmlMed ​

General Notes: Needs plenty of places to hide. PVC pipe may help. Known to jump from open top tanks. The Snowflake, Starry, or Diamond-Backed Moray, Echidna nebulosa is a fabulous aquarium species; small, compatible with other fish species and adaptable to captivity. It is certainly the most peaceful, outgoing and desirable moray species. Base color of silver gray with black and yellow "snowflakes" randomly sprinkled over the lower body. May sometimes eat very small fish. Needs plenty of places to hide (substrate). Known to jump from open top tanks.

( About.com - Snoflake Moray Eel )​

Other Common Names: Clouded Moray Eel, Nebulous Moray Eel, Starry Moray Eel.

Maximum Size: the Echidna nebulosa grows up to 30 inches.

General Size Specifications: This eel will generally come small 3 - 6 inches; the medium generally 7 - 10 inches; The Large 11 - 14 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: The Snowflake Eel prefers a tank of at least 30 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Level of Care: The Snowflake Eel is a low maintenance fish.

Behavior: The Snowflake Eel may act aggressively toward other fish.

Water Conditions: Keep water quality high (SG 1.020 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78° F).

Distribution: Hawai'i southward to Australia, westward through the islands of the Indo-Pacific to the East Indies, and across the Indian Ocean to the coast of Africa.


Characteristics & Compatibility: Reading the Tinker book it says, "Jordan and Evermann state that this eel has a reputation of making havoc among all kinds of fishes. The Hawaiians compared King Kamehameha with this eel and named him "pu-hi ka-pa", because he was victorious over all others." We find this statement interesting in comparison, as from our experience we have found that out of all the of moray eels in Hawai'i, the Snowflake is one of the lesser aggressive of species. It has a fairly restful nature, is shy, but not so much as the Banded Moray (Echidna polyzona) or Zebra Moray (Gymnomuraena (formerly Echidna) zebra), and likes to hide with its head stuck out of its cubby hole most of the time. This eel generally will not disturb or be disturbed by other tank inhabitants, and can live communally with other eels as well. However, an established resident my become aggressive towards newly smaller added eels, sometimes resulting in cannibalism.

Diet & Feeding: A carnivore, this eel's diet consists mainly of crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs, as well as sea urchins, but it may eat smaller fish if the opportunity arises. Unlike other moray species that have sharp pointed teeth for grasping onto prey, even though the Snowflake Eel has blunt or flattened teeth designed for grinding up shelled invertebrate prey, primarily crabs, shrimps and mollusks, it nonetheless has a nasty strong bite. Therefore, using a feeding stick is a good idea.

Sometimes a specimen may not accept tank fed fares in the beginning, but over time it adapts fairly well to tank life and will accept fresh or frozen meaty crustacean preparations suitable for carnivores. When food is present it may take on a more aggressive behavior. Eels do not eat on a daily basis. Feedings 1 or 2 times a week should be sufficient, and then only feed them as much as they will consume. From time to time it is not uncommon for most eels to go into a "hybernation" period, often hiding and not eating for several weeks or so.

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