5 years with our Blue Ribbon Eel

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by SantaMonicaHelp, Jan 7, 2012.

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  1. SantaMonicaHelp

    SantaMonicaHelp Astrea Snail

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    Location:
    Santa Monica, CA, USA
    5 years with our Blue Ribbon Eel

    Here are some pics and vids of our Blue Ribbon Eel in our office. We got him in summer of 2006, and uploaded the pics and vids in 2007...

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    Vid:
    Blue Ribbon Eel swimming around 1 - YouTube



    Here he is today...

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    Vid:
    Blue Ribbon Eel update - 5 years in tank - YouTube


    He was bright blue for several years, then turned darker and spotted. He does not really like to eat anymore, but will. He does still eat small fish that come near his pipe. At first it took a while to get him eating, and he ate regularly for about 4 years. The trick is to always have a pvc pipe for him to hide in... he will not eat unless he is in a pipe because he knows he is long and can be seen easily. We feed him one frozen silverside per week, because they are shaped like his favorite food... firefish. There are a lot of ideas about getting one to eat if you google "my blue ribbon eel eats!" (too long to post here). But give yourself 2 weeks of daily dedicated time to do it.

    Here is a pic of the pipe before it went in....

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    If you are going to use a pipe, don't do the turned-up ends like we did. It collects waste inside, and it rots and can't get out. Instead, raise the pipe off the bottom a bit and keep it straight so waste can flow out. Or better, angle it slightly down on both ends, like a roof.
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  3. chelseagrin

    chelseagrin Fire Goby

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    absolutely beautiful specimen! is that a seahorse in that one picture being housed with the eel?
     
  4. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    Really cool post! I've loved this eel for a long time but know they are tough to keep. Massive Kudos and great idea with the pipe!
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Awesome informative thread.

    Thank you for the contribution and I hope it helps others keep this sometimes challenging ( understatement) eel.
     
  6. SantaMonicaHelp

    SantaMonicaHelp Astrea Snail

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    Yay, but the horse is no longer with us.
     
  7. SantaMonicaHelp

    SantaMonicaHelp Astrea Snail

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    Thank you!

    Thank you!
     
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  9. mails2thiagu

    mails2thiagu Feather Duster

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