Snowflake eel... no data, or reading    3/10/14
I have a 5yr. Old snowflake eel...I have had him since he was the size of a worm. He has never had any problems until today I noticed his nostrils are swollen and red and I was just wondering what it could be caused by and how
to fix it. It happens over night.
<... Info.? Is this system brackish or marine? Read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwmoraydisfaqs.htm
And the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: Snowflake eel    3/11/14
marine
<Ah; Echidna nebulosa then I take it. Such swelling is usually due to either physical trauma or some off-aspect of water quality. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snoflkeeldisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. BobF>

Bob Fenner - Snowflake Moray Eels 5/3/12
Hi,
<Adam>
I am currently studying Marine Biology at Lancaster University, for one of my projects I need to set up a marine aquarium. I have chosen to set up my tank system for a Snowflake Moray Eel.
So I was just wondering if there was any tips that you could give me to setting up this tank and inform me of the perfect conditions for the tank, for example the lighting strength, pH, salinity. Also what food would be best to feed to a baby Snowflake, because I feel like feeding it live crabs would not be the best option when the Eel is only young.
<... what little/all I know is archived on WWM: Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/snowflakemoray.htm
and the linked files above. Do write back w/ specific questions if something is unclear, incomplete. Ask for Marco. BobF>
Thanks
Adam Corker

stocking list. Eel...?  - 1/25/10
Thanks
I would like to know why the eel would cause problems? I read it was peaceful. Any thoughts?
Thanks
<...? What species? Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/FishInd1.htm
scroll down. BobF>
stocking list
Echidna nebulosa, lack of earlier correspondence -- 01/26/10
Ohh sorry my bad. It's the Snowflake eel/Echidna nebulosa.
<Please include earlier correspondence when writing again. We are about 26 people here answering dozens of questions everyday and can hardly remember each story/tank without the earlier emails accompanying the answers... For information on Snowflake eels please read http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snowflakemoray.htm and the linked FAQs on top of this page.>
If you have another idea for a moray that is small and "easy to keep", I'd love to hear it!
<Without background information on your tank?>
Thanks
<Welcome. Marco.>

Snowflake Moray Eel 03/29/09
I am doing a project and I need to know what depth snowflake moray eels are found at. thanks
<I'm assuming you're a high school student? We're not in the business of doing your homework for you! So instead, [a] find the scientific ("Latin") name for the Snowflake Moray; and then [b] visit Fishbase, and look up that species. The answer you want is there! I've just checked.
http://www.fishbase.org/
Cheers, Neale.>

Help ? Missing Echidna... env.dis...  3/12/2009 Hello again, thanks for a real quick response last time. This one is a good one! My 220 salt fish only, is missing 2 of my 3 small snowflake morays.!@ <Mmm, either eaten, hiding... on the floor... carried away by pets?> The tank has been set up for many years, currently it houses 3- 4 inch lion fish , 1 - 6 inch beta, 1-6 inch soldier fish , 1 - 5 inch porcupine puffer, and one 12 inch wolf eel . <Mmm... the puffer is the prime suspect here> All have been doing great for months , water param.s are fine,. The problem , 4 days a go I fed them all chopped squid stuffed and fine , I noticed one of the snowflakes moray went down the mega flow over flow and went through my home made trickle filter of 2 5 gallon pails and was in the sump and i left him there! My return pump does not have a screen on it before it meets up with the other sump then a little giant md4 pumps back up, I wasn't able to check tank for two days and then I noticed that two of the 3 lion fish have their TAIL 3 fins like melted off and are very pale . <Mmm, I don't like this... maybe just consequent of the squid, perhaps the eel perishing... water quality issue most likely> I did a 50 gallon water change added poly filter and checked all levels fine, ph a little low 8.0 .The Coralife skimmer wasn't really overreacting. The lion fish all 3 are still eating fortified krill as the other fish minus 2 eels? Im very concerned about the lion fish ,1 however has perfect fins but is also pale. Do you think the eel has been blended up? <Too likely so> The water is very clear and tightly covered on tank P.S. I noticed during feeding the moray that's still in tank would bite the other ones , but they bite back. thank you Tony <Stay vigilant here... water quality test, chemical filtrant use... pre-made water available for change-outs. Bob Fenner>

Catching a Snowflake Eel 06/16/08 Hi Crew, <Hello Keith.> We have a 110 gallon salt water tank. We have a 10 inch snowflake eel which we need to take back to the fish store. (They've agreed to take him back.). He's eaten several fish and a crab and we want him out of the tank before we have further issues. Problem is ... we've been unsuccessful in catching him. Any suggestions? We have a net and have tried luring him into it with krill. But, he's smart and quickly retreats to his cave. We'd like to purchase additional fish, but we won't be doing this until he's out of the tank. Please ... we are desperate for a solution. Thanks, Keith <A clean empty bottle with an opening large enough for the eel (but nothing else), a piece of shrimp or fish and a little patience should do the job. You may reduce the current for a short while to make it easier for the eel to smell the direction of the food. Wait until the eel is in the bottle, use the net to prevent him from escaping again, and take it all out, and transfer the eel into a clean container or bucket with a lid and some aeration until you can take it to the shop. Good luck and tight lines! Marco.>

Snowflake Eel Bite -- 11/28/2007 Hi! <Hello.> I have read through the posts on snowflake morays. I could not find an answer to my question. I care for a 300 gallon tank at the junior high where I teach science. I have had a snowflake eel in my home aquarium and have never had a problem like this. Today while trying to feed the inhabitants of the tank, at school, the snowflake eel was wildly thrashing in and out of the tank. I had some silversides for him and the lion fish so I grabbed one with me fingers to give him (I know, not recommended ) anyway, he latched onto my finger and would not let go without some coaxing. After he let go I had several small piercings in my finger, and was bleeding. I cleaned the injury with peroxide, but was wondering - do they carry any weird bacteria that could be infectious. <Several dangerous bacteria have been found in the mouths of moray eels, among them Vibrio and Pseudomonas. If the wound swells, is becoming severely red or you feel insecure about what to do, visit a medical doctor. In addition many (probably all) moray eels possess a weak toxin produced by club shaped cells in their skin, that might be transferred by a bite. Dizziness and tremendous pain are reported symptoms, but the toxin is so far not considered very dangerous (perhaps only to allergic persons).> I don't know where else to seek an answer. <The aquarium magazine TFH had an article on moray bites in its September issue. Possibly will be at WWM some day, too.> Living in Cheyenne, Wyoming doesn't afford me a wealth of expert advise. <So far I am not aware of anyone, who died due to a moray eel bite, but I am aware of some people, who had to go to the hospital, some because of infection, some because of massive loss of tissue (larger eels). Although most moray eel bites heal without infection and further problems, I'd stop hand feeding. Fingers and silversides are not the healthiest diet anyway. Clam and mussel meat, squid and crustaceans should be used to alter the diet.> Thanks in advance for any info you can provide. <Hope that helps. Cheers, Marco.>

Snowflake Eel Lifespan 01/27/06 Hi. We have a Snowflake Moray that we bought when he was only about 10" long and only as wide as a number 2 pencil. We've had him for about 6 years now and we are wondering as to exactly how long he might live. Did we buy ourselves an aquatic parrot? Lol. Well please get back to us, we would appreciate any information you could give us. <<Hello Cory. I searched WWM using "Snowflake Eel Lifespan" and found the answer at this link (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snoflkeeldisfaqs.htm). Happy reading.>> Thank you, Cory <<You're welcome - Ted>>

Snowflake eel habitat and tankmates  - 1/6/06 Hey guys, doing a little research here planning my tank that goes up this week.  I have a 75 gal Reef Ready tank with plans of housing 1 single Volitans or Russell's Lion and a Snowflake eel. Since the Snowflake can have a tendency to eat fish (FAQ has several cases), I thought I'd add the Lionfish first and let him put on some size first.  So at what size should the Lion be before I add the eel and do I need to worry about the Lion trying to eat the Eel AND/OR the Eel trying to eat the lion? <You can start doing your researching here.   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snowflakemoray.htm  and here,  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lions&rels.htm  Joe, there is a wealth of information on the Wet Web Media.  Please look and get information there before sending queries.> Second question, I've read about the PVC tubing for an Eel home/hiding place.  I was thinking about placing a 3' section of pipe along the entire back of the tank behind the rockwork with 45 degree ends that come out in Live rock caves.  Is 3" pipe necessary (as recommended) for a Snowflake...or would 2" suffice?  <I'd go with what is recommended.> Lastly, What is the max girth of a Snowflake Eel? <In captivity they will seldom exceed 24" in length so I'm guessing maximum girth at this size about 1 1/2-2.0 inches.  Keep in mind these guys are escape artists and a tight fitting cover is a must.> Thanks for having a great Website with a wealth of knowledge. <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)> Joe

Snowflake Eel Escape  11/28/05 My snowflake eel escaped. <It happens.> I woke up and it was dry, although flexible I guess. I put it back in tank after hearing about it coming back to life.  <Yes have seen them survive 12 hours + in dry conditions and recuperate.> Anyhow, it starting breathing and hid in his normal hiding place. It seems to be okay except it's dried skin is shedding/coming off <Quite normal.> and kind of looks like snake. Is this normal and should s/he be okay? <May be okay... hard to say at this point. Likely very stressed out.> What should I do to help it? <Wait a day or so and begin offering it food (but do no be surprised by a feeding strike possibly a few weeks in length) and provide pristine water conditions.> (Besides duct tape the hood's flap down?) <Well yes, I would find an efficient way to prevent this in the future, Adam J.>  <<Look to vinyl/plastic window screening, apply something similar to what is used for snake tanks (escape artists extraordinaire!).  Marina>>

Building around a fish  9/26/05 Clear Day, Hello, <Hello Pete> I set up and cycled a 90 gallon tank a while ago (actually it has been running for 6 months now with a 2" sand bed, 140 pounds live rock, refugium etc) and at this point I have only added 1 Royal Gramma and some reef custodians to it. I guess it is slow but better safe than sorry. Anyhow.... <Shows you have patience my friend, a must in this hobby> I want to add a Snowflake eel to the tank and this creature will be the "main attraction". Anything else I add over time will be added around the eel' s needs and habits. My question is is it too soon to add the eel now? <No, but the royal Gramma may become dinner.> I have a very sturdy rockwork setup with lots of caves but would it be better to put a piece of PVC tube in for a cave? If so, should it be open and accessible at both ends or just one? <I'd try the rockwork first for aesthetic reasons> Last part of the question is are there any major concerns regarding acclimating the eel? Should I do the freshwater/Methylene blue dip and then quarantine or just straight to the quarantine for 4 weeks? <Follow normal QT procedures.> Thanks in advance for your help. <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)> Pete

Moray compatibility  09/13/2005 Hello again I was wondering if I could keep a snowflake eel with any species of sand sifting goby. I know snowflakes rarely eat fish but I read you should not mix bottom dwelling fish with morays. Your website's very helpful and thanks again  <I'll rephrase a statement you made:  "you should not mix any fish that a snowflake moray can swallow." In that case, knowing that snowflakes can attain a length of two feet, I'm thinking the goby may become dinner someday.  James (Salty Dog)> Patrick Nikiel

Planning Moray Meals  9/12/05 Hello! <Hi! Scott F. with you today!> I got 2 Snowflake Morays not too long ago for my breeder aquarium... The guy at the LFS told me to feed it frozen shrimp. Would this be a good diet for them? Thanks, David <Well, David- frozen shrimp can certainly be a good nutritional item for your eels, but you really need a diverse set of menu items, such as squid, clams, strips of fish, etc. Variety for fish, just like people, is very important. Feeding any one items exclusively is not a great idea. Be sure to diversify these fishes' diets, and you'll be pleased with the results! Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>