Non-aggressive eel

[jasonrusso]

I lost my Golden Dwarf Moray last night. I had him for over 8 years and I'm heartbroken over it. I would buy another one in a second, but they come from Hawaii so it's a no-go right now.

So I cannot have a tank without an eel, so what to do. I have a 220G fish only with lots of rock. I have a small Porcupine puffer, full grown foxface and tomini tang, juvenile harelquin tusk, antenatta lionfish, and 3 lyretail anthias. The anthias are the ones that I would be most concerned about. My GDM never bothered anyone.

What do you recommend that will have personality and most importantly won't eat my fish. I'm looking at a goldentail (Gymnothorax miliaris), zebra moray, chainlink moray, or a snowflake.

I'm leaning toward the goldentail. My GDM was 16" and the goldentail won't get much bigger. I also read that they are quite docile. I read that the zebra is as fish safe as you can get, but I don't know what to do with a 4-5' eel. The snowflake and chainlink are also good options, but I don't know much about them. I can get a small goldentail right now.

 

[exnisstech]

I've only had one eel, a 30" zebra moray. I had it about a year and it bothered nothing in the tank. Not sure if thats normal for them or I got lucky. A dang little 3" picaso trigger started pestering the eel and it stopped eating
EDIT : sorry I just reread your post that they get too big.

 

[eelman07]

The Zebra morey eel is a great option! I have one in my 225 and it hasnt bothered anything!

 

[jasonrusso]

The Zebra morey eel is a great option! I have one in my 225 and it hasnt bothered anything!

How big and how long have you had it?

 

[eelman07]

How big and how long have you had it?

I have mine for a year, its currently 3 ft. Long and hasnt bothered anythinv including multiple small fish!

 

[jasonrusso]

I've only had one eel, a 30" zebra moray. I had it about a year and it bothered nothing in the tank. Not sure if thats normal for them or I got lucky. A dang little 3" picaso trigger started pestering the eel and it stopped eating
EDIT : sorry I just reread your post that they get too big.

It's conlfcting. Some say they don't get that big in tanks. I also want one that isn't going to hide all day. Maybe the snowflake is better

 

[eelman07]

It's conlfcting. Some say they don't get that big in tanks. I also want one that isn't going to hide all day. Maybe the snowflake is better

My Zebra eel was 28 inches when i bought it, is actually quite active. The snowflake would be more likely to take down fish

 

[jasonrusso]

My Zebra eel was 28 inches when i bought it, is actually quite active. The snowflake would be more likely to take down fish

Does the zebra swim around at feeding time? Can you see it during the day? My GDM was always hanging his head out.

 

[eelman07]

Does the zebra swim around at feeding time? Can you see it during the day? My GDM was always hanging his head out.

My zebra eel always at least has his head out! And he will let you know when he is hungry by swimming when you walk by the tank! He is very active during feeding time!

 

[GARRIGA]

I’m not experience with a snowflake and I’d get that again. Ate out of my fingers. Peaceful with others until my scarlet hermit molted and I’m guessing eaten.

Banana moray from Brazil another option and something I’d be seeking if I ever get a tank where inhabitants wouldn’t be prey for it.

 

[Slocke]

No a goldentail won’t work. It is of the genus Gymnothorax which eats primarily fish (yes your GDE was also a Gymnothorax but they are generally too small to eat most fish we keep).
If you want a moray you want either a Gymnomurena or an Echidna which are the two genera of “pebble toothed eels”. The former is the zebra eel which is often considered the most peaceful moray eel. The latter, Echidna, contains several species of which the most notable is the snowflake. These eels eat mostly crustaceans and are not proficient in hunting fish.
The next option are the morays that eat fish but are also too small to threaten most reef fish. These are the two similar eels, Rhinomuraena quaesita, the ribbon eel and, Pseudechidna brummeri, the ghost eel. They are both expert level fish though.

Finally there are the snake eels of the genus Mythrichthys. Which are not moray eels but snake eels.

Snake Eels: The Safe Moray Alternative?

Snake Eels: The Safe Moray Alternative? by @Slocke Myrichthys colubrinus - The Banded Snake Eel Snake eels are a more rarely seen but available eel in the aquarium hobby, but are they a viable option for someone looking for a more unusual eel...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[jasonrusso]

No a goldentail won’t work. It is of the genus Gymnothorax which eats primarily fish (yes your GDE was also a Gymnothorax but they are generally too small to eat most fish we keep).
If you want a moray you want either a Gymnomurena or an Echidna which are the two genera of “pebble toothed eels”. The former is the zebra eel which is often considered the most peaceful moray eel. The latter, Echidna, contains several species of which the most notable is the snowflake. These eels eat mostly crustaceans and are not proficient in hunting fish.
The next option are the morays that eat fish but are also too small to threaten most reef fish. These are the two similar eels, Rhinomuraena quaesita, the ribbon eel and, Pseudechidna brummeri, the ghost eel. They are both expert level fish though.

Finally there are the snake eels of the genus Mythrichthys. Which are not moray eels but snake eels.

Snake Eels: The Safe Moray Alternative?

Snake Eels: The Safe Moray Alternative? by @Slocke Myrichthys colubrinus - The Banded Snake Eel Snake eels are a more rarely seen but available eel in the aquarium hobby, but are they a viable option for someone looking for a more unusual eel...

www.reef2reef.com

What about a chain link? They are pebble tooth, don't get as big as a zebra. Do they hide all day?

 

[Mr_Knightley]

Echidna eels would be your best option IMO. I would steer clear of snowflakes because adult males actually develop sharp, fish eating teeth and will sometimes go through a behavior change during this time as well. Chainlinks are very cool fish, but make sure to have a VERY tight fitting lid because they are known to explore outside the tank.
My favorite Echidna eel is the Skeletor, though they are more expensive than the others. Most echidnas are fairly confident except for the chainlink which can supposedly be a little shy (never kept one myself so idk if that's true).

 

[jasonrusso]

Echidna eels would be your best option IMO. I would steer clear of snowflakes because adult males actually develop sharp, fish eating teeth and will sometimes go through a behavior change during this time as well. Chainlinks are very cool fish, but make sure to have a VERY tight fitting lid because they are known to explore outside the tank.
My favorite Echidna eel is the Skeletor, though they are more expensive than the others. Most echidnas are fairly confident except for the chainlink which can supposedly be a little shy (never kept one myself so idk if that's true).

I have heavy glass lids so that's not a issue. I really like the chain link, but I want to see it hanging out. That's why I loved my GDM. He was usually out.

I'll look into the skelator. What's the tempermant?

 

[Slocke]

What about a chain link? They are pebble tooth, don't get as big as a zebra. Do they hide all day?

Yep. They are good. Echidna eel

 

[jasonrusso]

Yep. They are good. Echidna eel

Will I be able to see it or is it hiding all day?

 

[Slocke]

Will I be able to see it or is it hiding all day?

Mine was very active.

 

[Slocke]

Sorry this is maybe better. It’s the little one at the top. It was definitely my shyest eel but also my most active. Had to rehome as the snowflake bullied it.

 

[eelman07]

In my expierience chain links are also quite active, a great smaller option instead of the zebra morey.

 

[jasonrusso]

In my expierience chain links are also quite active, a great smaller option instead of the zebra morey.

Hmm, maybe I'm leaning towards that. I want something active and pretty, and won't eat my fish.