Snowflake Eel?

[Telford]

I think i made a mistake. I was told that a snowflake would do fine in my reef by the 'salesman' but he seems pretty aggressive, i've already witnessed him attack and eat a crab. I have a couple of fairly small clowns (1.5 inches), i'm a little concerned for their safety. Anyone have experience with a snowflake eel in a non-predator tank? If i should get him outta there, any ideas how to catch him?

[mark]

This seems somewhat common, something pushed as 'reef safe' when what is really meant 'coral safe'. Simply, Snowflakes eat fish and crustaceans.

[dsaundry]

Almost anything that swims or crawls and fits in its mouth is fair game. As for getting it out..Three options that I have heard..Get it at night or with a barbless hook and bait..Tear down the tank and pull him out that way... Good luck.

[Pan]

Buy bigger fish, give up ornamental crustaceans.

[justinl]

Snowflake eels fall into the "pebble toothed" eel category. as opposed to the fang toothed piscivorous eels. pebble tooths like the snowflake specialize in crustaceans. not so much in fish; however if they get hungry enough, and that fish can fit into the eel's mouth, then it would be in some danger. Keep the eel well fed (well fed, not over fed) and the fish should probably be fine. How big is the eel? if the eel is small the fish might be in no danger either way.

you can't call your tank a non-predator tank anymore. the eel is a predator.

I hope this teaches you two vital lessons. no impulse buys and dont trust people looking to sell you something too much. do your own research properly!

[Telford]

He isn't very big at this point. Maybe 12 inches. Is there any other way to feed him other than frozen silverside on a feeding stick? I tried to target feed him with krill but they are too small to put on a stick obviously and when he smells them in the water he starts swimming around lookin for something to attack.