Eels in a reef?

I've read that eels are reef safe, but not too many reefers have them. Any certain reasons? Eat small fish? Escape artists? Eat large fish?? Get too big?


Thanks!

 

Aye - they eat fish. Big meat eaters. You will be spiking the bio-load to keep them happy which may lead to all things green.

That said, I used to have a snowflake eel. It was really cool. But I kept it in an fish-only non-reef tank.

 

You named most of the reasons

Messy eaters
May eat smaller fish and inverts
Big time escape artist
Some do get too large

And last but not least the reason I got rid of mine they bite. Every time you stick your hand in the tank you run the risk of getting bitten. After about the 10th time of getting bitten I decided not worth it.
They are interesting but not that interesting and the uniqueness wears off.

 

I didn't think about getting bitten... Yikes!
Thanks for the info!

 

All posted above is true... however, there are a couple of smaller species that would do just fine in a reef. I cannot think of the names off hand, but commonly called garden eels.

 

I used to have a snowflake in my 75 gallon mixed reef and when he was small he was great, a real conversation piece. When he got bigger though I noticed fish coming up missing and he was clumsy always knocking over any new frags I'd put in. The line was crossed though when I experienced something similar to corailline, I didn't get bit 10 times though, just once and he bit me so hard he took a chunk of skin off my pinky.

I didn't want to get rid of him but it had to be done, I was able to find him a nice home in a 300 gallon fish only tank a friend of mine has

 

Assuming we're talking about the same eel, I think you may be thinking of the wrong eel.

Garden eels are usually only maintained by professionals due to their rather difficult care needs. Huge tank, DEEP sandbed, nearly impossible to get to switch onto frozen/prepared foods, no other tank mates, gentle but constant current (similar to seahorses), little to no coral/rock, and a secure lid (mesh or glass, no eggcrate.)

I attached a pic of garden eels (not mine) to be sure we're on the same page.

I wouldn't consider any eel for a reef tank, fish WILL go missing along with inverts.

Also, check out most eel's jaw and mouth mechanism, they have one set for holding down, than another with teeth facing inwards for ripping off flesh and, with larger eels, bone. Not your typical fish bite

 

Ouch!

 

I'll second that!!

 

I had a snowflake for a couple years til he outgrew my tank. I agree with all the above. Mine never picked on my fish though. He would love to cruise in and out of my LR and knock everything over. He bit me once, which was my fault because I started hand feeding him, so he associated my hand in the tank as dinner! He had tons of personality, I actually miss the guy