Who knows about eels?

jeffopentax

jeffopentax

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Location
Brantford, Ontario
Came home today to find my snowflake eel missing an eye, and sitting in the corner of the tank.  Usually he's in his cave and pokes his head out, as eels normally do.  Any idea what may have happened?  Have never seen any tank mates bother with him, nor does he bother them.
 
reeferkeeper420

reeferkeeper420

Distinguished Member
Joined
May 15, 2013
Location
Ingersoll, Ontario
That is really odd..somethings stressing him out. Maybe try feeding him? Chexk ur tank params, a tank swing cudve possibly stressed him out. Monitor to see if theres a bully.
 
jeffopentax

jeffopentax

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Location
Brantford, Ontario
Water params check out same as always.  Everything else is acting normal. Has always been a sporatic eater, so can't determine anything that way.  I gotta think it got into a tussle with something, or it accidentally found an rbta or button polyp. 
 
jeffopentax

jeffopentax

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Location
Brantford, Ontario
Maybe he actually thinks he's hidden since all he can see is rock out of his right eye. Sounds ridiculous, but could be true!


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AdInfinitum

AdInfinitum

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Joined
Jan 12, 2012
Location
Thorndale, Ontario
Not sure who your culprit would be in that group, larger angels are notorious for picking the eyes out of young predators.  Since the Snowflake isn't a fish eater his eyesight isn't that important to him as he will do much of his hunting with pit organs and lateral line.  As long as it doesn't continue to be bullied it should recover.

Given that they crawl through and burrow in rock and sand in the wild not too likely to scratch it unless rockwork collapsed or shifted onto him and he was trapped between two rigid objects which may have done more extensive internal damage.  When I kept large eels in the past I always built stable rockwork on the bare bottom of the tank and then added the substrate so that their burrowing could not undermine and topple anything.

Do you notice any rock work that has been collapsed?
 
jeffopentax

jeffopentax

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Location
Brantford, Ontario
AdInfinitum link said:
Not sure who your culprit would be in that group, larger angels are notorious for picking the eyes out of young predators.  Since the Snowflake isn't a fish eater his eyesight isn't that important to him as he will do much of his hunting with pit organs and lateral line.  As long as it doesn't continue to be bullied it should recover.

Given that they crawl through and burrow in rock and sand in the wild not too likely to scratch it unless rockwork collapsed or shifted onto him and he was trapped between two rigid objects which may have done more extensive internal damage.  When I kept large eels in the past I always built stable rockwork on the bare bottom of the tank and then added the substrate so that their burrowing could not undermine and topple anything.

Do you notice any rock work that has been collapsed?
Click to expand...

When i first set my tank up last year i had my liverock before i had sand, so it is quite sturdy.  However, the zebra eel, who is a big boy (about 32") could have moved rock behind that i can't see.  My tomini tang seems to think he is boss, even though he's the smallest in the tank (3.5").  Would it attack an eel ?



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Skim

Skim

Active Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2014
Location
Brantford, Ontario
Just wondering is the Zebra eel now where your Snowflake use to be. I don't know but to me having 2 eels in one tank to me is a NO NO. I would give the snowflake a looking over with flash light and check for battle scares. To take eye ball out takes a bit of force. I think he may have taken a bit to the head and a tooth tore the eye out. Could be a pest, Mantis Shrimp take eye out no problem and could be why he's not in his home. Find out what's in his home now and you will have your answer.

All the best.

Mike 
 
jeffopentax

jeffopentax

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Location
Brantford, Ontario
Snowflakes, zebras, and chainlinks are considered the most passive, reef safe eels.  I've read about numerous aquarists keeping 2 or 3 together, as long ad they are different species, and have about 40g each.  That being said, nothing saltwater is carved in stone.  Both my eels tend to stay on the same side of the tank, with their own spots within the rockwork, and i've never seen aggression from either one.  Given the size and build of the zebra (4x the snowflake), one bite would spell a quick end for the snowflake.  Mantis shrimp is a possibility, but i've not added anything it could've hitchhiked in on since nov or dec.  Overall, he looks ok. Just missing an eye.


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jeffopentax

jeffopentax

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Location
Brantford, Ontario
Turns out his eye is still there, it was just clouded over so bad it blended in and appeared missing.  Was out and about a little today.  Looks to be losing slime coat.


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jeffopentax

jeffopentax

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Location
Brantford, Ontario
The only thing i've been able to get the snowflake to eat is salad shrimp.  The zebra eel will eat just about anything... shrimp, krill, clams.  Should i add vitamins?


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