Snow flake eel sick?

[Halimiche]

Hey yall, we have a snowflake eel, he’s probably around 6-7 years old. He was a few inches long when we got him and he’s now over a foot and a half long. Recently he’s stopped eating. I’ve noticed also, he’s got a rather large bulge and his colour doesnt’t look as bright. He’s not swimming around like usual and is laying in different areas of the tank he doesn’t normally ‘lounge’ in. He’s in a 125g tank with live rock only. There are no other live beings in there. He’s a solo guy. He eats mainly shrimp, although we do give him bits of other seafood, scallops, salmon etc, shrimp seems to be what he wants most. We’ve checked water parameters and they all fall into the normal/safe zone. I THINK he may have a blockage or an internal parasite?. Posted a couple of pictures hoping someone might have some advice…kinda attached to this lil cutie. Thanks in advance!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey yall, we have a snowflake eel, he’s probably around 6-7 years old. He was a few inches long when we got him and he’s now over a foot and a half long. Recently he’s stopped eating. I’ve noticed also, he’s got a rather large bulge and his colour doesnt’t look as bright. He’s not swimming around like usual and is laying in different areas of the tank he doesn’t normally ‘lounge’ in. He’s in a 125g tank with live rock only. There are no other live beings in there. He’s a solo guy. He eats mainly shrimp, although we do give him bits of other seafood, scallops, salmon etc, shrimp seems to be what he wants most. We’ve checked water parameters and they all fall into the normal/safe zone. I THINK he may have a blockage or an internal parasite?. Posted a couple of pictures hoping someone might have some advice…kinda attached to this lil cutie. Thanks in advance!

Looks like a chance that it is constipated. Ant scars or bruising on Belly?
Is breathing more labored as I know they already breathe somewhat elevated?
What is tank Nitrate level?
Dont worry about attempted feeding for now as they can go a while without a meal

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Morays often go on hunger strikes for weeks to a few months, however, the bulge on the eel’s side means this issue is related to that. It could be a blockage, but could also be a tumor or abscess.

If the bulge showed up suddenly, then you can rule out a tumor.

Could the eel have swallowed some shrimp shells?

There just is not a lot you can do for constipation in fish that are not eating.

 

[kc4mnp]

My snowflake lived off of dry krill shrimp like you get at wal-mart in the orange can and he lasted 22 yrs, also he pick out a favorite spot under a rock that he hid out in all the time any one was around , but if you turned off the lights and took a flashlight with a red lens like you use at night for telescope use and watch the tank that rascal would be active as all get out ! Mines breathing looked labored all the time also ! but he was fine , he jumped out once and was on the floor around 5 hours and was all dried out like beef jerky, threw him back in the tank and 30 mins later he was fine ! They are tough as nails , and yours is a beautiful specimen! I guess by now you know they will eat most any critter that gets in the tank ! Hope he turns out to be OK! Good Day !