EEL problem.....and ammonia spike question

I just bought some clams from seafood dept...cut em up....i tied it to the fishing line, and it is sitting in front of his face.... he didnt go for it...so i left it a walked away...it's been half hour...gonna go check in a minute.....
My first thought was goiter when it seem too enlarged to me, but after comparing then, and now to other pics online of the same eel(harlequin snake eel), they all have the same trait...
I caught him this AM, at like 4--pitch dark skimming the sand bed. I dont know what he could possibly be eating off the bed...if he is eating....maybe the puffers mess that i couldnt get...........
Well, just checked on the clam, and . . . . . the snails LOVE it, as the eel onlooks...... so i just changed it out for some raw shrimp. havent tried that yet. it's very strong smelling.
This is very frustrating