View Full Version : eels with inverts...
I've got snowflakes that are less than a foot long, and thin as a sharpie marker. They have not bothered any of my hermits- are cleaner shrimps going to be a snack?? How about an arrowhead crab?? I've got lots of LR for hiding places, does that even help? thanks for any info you might have
OrionGirl
05-19-2003, 3:01 PM
Our snowflake searched out and ate--with relish--every single hitch hiker crab that came in with our live rock. Hermits last a bit longer, since they can just scoot further into their shell, but I would not consider them safe.
A snowflake that thin seems odd to me--how old? Usually they start chunking up and getting rounder by the time they are a year or so old. Staying thin may indicate inadequate protien.
the snowflakes are around 10-12" and are failry thin. However, they seemed proprtionate to the other snowflakes at the LFS, and they eat voraciously. They have filled out some since I've had them 5 weeks, and display no visible problems. Their heads/mouths are fairly slender as well, which leads me to beleive they are just super young.
also...they don't seem very aggressive, unless its feeding time and they grab ahold of a cube of frozen- then they come alive. Other than feeding times, they are deferential to my fish- tomato clown, yellow tang, wrasse, and display little inclination to casuse trouble- I've never even noticed them regard my hermits with ANY interest.. thanks
OrionGirl
05-19-2003, 3:27 PM
Yep, sounds like juvies. They will fill out and become a threat to anyt invert they can get their mouths around--these guys have hard plates they use to crunch up shells, instead of the razors or spikes found in piscivores.
MonoSebaelover
05-19-2003, 5:27 PM
Agree with Orion (as usual!), I have a 2ft Snowflake that I got about 8 months ago and when I got him he was only 6-7" long. He is kept with other aggressive tankmates (Triggers and such) and have never had any inverts in the tank. Be ware they will eat small fish (found that out 2 years ago when another Snow I had ate an Ocellaris Clown). Also beware of the two living together as they grow older. Some work out, others do not. Depends on the individuals but just wanted to warn you in advance. Hope this helps and good luck with them.