Snowflake Eel Setup

[RaeLuvsEels]

Hi guys, so I recently bought a 55 gallon setup and I’m getting it ready to hopefully put a snowflake eel in. I attempted to set up the live rock like caves for it, but I was wondering if it looked okay or if anyone had tips? And if anyone knows how to secure it so the eel can’t topple them? This will be my first saltwater project so any tips or advice is appreciated

 

[littlefoxx]

To be honest a snowflake eel shouldnt go in a 55 gallon long term, they get two feet long and like to be able to come out and swim. And rocks should be pretty secure, my eels can topple them if they burrow under, so as long as there are rocks they can burrow under and not cause a landslide the better. Mine have a bunch of caves but they all prefer to just dig their burrow under a regular rock in the sand

 

[littlefoxx]

Here are what my eels do. I spent a ton of time making elaborate caves and overhands and they just pick a regular rock to dig under lol

 

[RaeLuvsEels]

Aww they’re so cute! Are you sure a snowflake would be cramped in a 55 even if there wouldn’t be other fish? And do you know any alternatives that would fit if so?

 

[RaeLuvsEels]

Looking at the inside of my tank I think it would be okay for one full grown but I would never want to misjudge and cost him health or happiness

 

[littlefoxx]

Aww they’re so cute! Are you sure a snowflake would be cramped in a 55 even if there wouldn’t be other fish? And do you know any alternatives that would fit if so?

Yeah Im positive one would be cramped in there. Mine seemed cramped in a six foot 125 gallon tank to be honest, they like to move around and swim. My eels love to come out and slither between a lot of rocks and stretch out all the way, yours would be very cramped. You would want a tank at the very least 5 feet wide to give them room to stretch out, if they feel cramped they will refuse to eat. I had mine jump out of a temporary tank while my 300 was being filled. Before she jumped she was swimming around super erratically and bumping into walls. Shes content now in my big tank but I do really think a 55 is way too small for one long term. Its your tank though, just my opinion having had my snowflake for over a year and watching her grow from a 10 inch eel to her full size. They swim a lot more than people think they do

 

[DylanE]

I recommend burying some PVC in the sand. I inserted about 18" of 1" PVC and my snowflake found it after about 20 minutes and has been in it since.

 

[RaeLuvsEels]

Ohh that’s a good idea actually. How big is your setup?

 

[DylanE]

I've got mine in a 75g. Honestly he's only about 12" and hasn't left his den since he found it. I'm upgrading to a 240 this next year, though, but I doubt it'd be necessary for him. He seems quite comfortable.

I inserted the PVC below and through some rocks so it's not visible unless you're looking for it. Also keeps him front and center.

 

[Seansea]

He'll be fine in a 55g. I had one for 4 years in a 150g and he never got bigger than 12 inches. Def use pvc for him to hang in. A tight lid is a must. They will escape the smallest hole and slither around your house. Mine scared my wife and her friends slithering around. They can live out of water up to 6 hours. They are really slimy to catch.