Anyone keep snowflake morays?

[Lean]

Hi
Does anyone keep snowflake morays ? I have 2 saltwater tanks (fowler types) both 75 gallons with smallish fish but dont know much about morays.

I have been interested in snowflakes and recently saw small ones . I was thinking of a 55 gallon for 2 but not sure if in long run to cramped and will 2 be okay together,etc.
I was thinking 2 snows in a 55 with some live rock in rear of tank and a few pvc tubes

Any input would be great . I know they are escape artists but thats it .


thanks

 

[Russy pelican]

Snowflakes are great! I've got one I've kept for years. I wouldn't put two in one tank, though. A snowflake and a larger zebra might be a better choice. They can lock up pretty viciously when feeding.

 

[Fishieness]

the zebras will get qhite large though so it probably isnt a good idea long term
i had one for a bit over a year, then he got his head stuck under a rock when he was digging

 

[clos10]

Ive kept snowflakes they are great. I would'nt keep two in one tank though, especially in a 75. I will tell you that even though you can get them pencil size, they grow at an incredible rate when they are small. All eels are escape artist so make sure your tank is fully covered on top, the smallest hole and you are risking find it on the ground the next day when you come from work.

 

[Tommy Gun]

I had one snowflake before when my tank was set up as a fowlr tank and yea, they are really cool. I also agree that there should only be one per tank and they do get very very big. I thought the minimum size tank was around 75 gallons or more, but not completely sure on that.

These eels are also very blind and so mine would tend to attack any fish I had in with it, even my porcupine puffer and my lionfish. They will however, eat small fish, snails, clams, and other inverts as well so it is best to keep them either in a tank with big, fast fish, or feed them very often so that they dont need to scavange for any food.

The other issue I found and was pointed out is that they are really really good at getting out of a tank and can fit in the smallest little hole it seems. Mine got out of the main tank and into the overflow once and I had ducktaped the glass tops to the tank in the back.

One other thing, they are going to be in and out of any live rock you have and will actually dig a tunnel underneath a rock or two in order to hide out during the day time. This means that you have to have well stacked rock work or glue them together. I also suggest making a layer of base rock that is touching the glass on the bottom of the tank so that they cant dig under it and cause it to shift and crush them. When they get real big, I would think that any rock stacking wouldnt be strong enough so I would either find some really good glue or just have the rock spread out on the bottom of the tank. Even if you dont care if the eel gets crushed or stuck under a rock, you will if a rock tumbles and breaks the glass of your tank! They are also apt to get into any intakes or powerhead nozzles. Mine loved trying to get into my powerheads but luckily I have all mine plumbed underneatht the tank and am pushing out 1200 gallons per hour so he couldnt really fight the current coming out of them.

Here is a little compilation of videos of my Snowflake Moray Eel if you want to check it out. This one is pretty small actually, about 10 inches long and around the width of a dime or so. It is always best to buy them around this size since smaller ones are more sensitive and easily stressed while bigger ones are more set in their ways and may cause havoc to the other fish in your tank. Also, make sure you ask to see the LFS feed it to make sure that it is eating since they are sometimes not willing to eat and starve which it is in your best interest to not bring them home.

http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l162/tommygunnz76/?action=view&current=MyS.flv

 

[Lean]

I had one snowflake before when my tank was set up as a fowlr tank and yea, they are really cool. I also agree that there should only be one per tank and they do get very very big. I thought the minimum size tank was around 75 gallons or more, but not completely sure on that.

These eels are also very blind and so mine would tend to attack any fish I had in with it, even my porcupine puffer and my lionfish. They will however, eat small fish, snails, clams, and other inverts as well so it is best to keep them either in a tank with big, fast fish, or feed them very often so that they dont need to scavange for any food.

The other issue I found and was pointed out is that they are really really good at getting out of a tank and can fit in the smallest little hole it seems. Mine got out of the main tank and into the overflow once and I had ducktaped the glass tops to the tank in the back.

One other thing, they are going to be in and out of any live rock you have and will actually dig a tunnel underneath a rock or two in order to hide out during the day time. This means that you have to have well stacked rock work or glue them together. I also suggest making a layer of base rock that is touching the glass on the bottom of the tank so that they cant dig under it and cause it to shift and crush them. When they get real big, I would think that any rock stacking wouldnt be strong enough so I would either find some really good glue or just have the rock spread out on the bottom of the tank. Even if you dont care if the eel gets crushed or stuck under a rock, you will if a rock tumbles and breaks the glass of your tank! They are also apt to get into any intakes or powerhead nozzles. Mine loved trying to get into my powerheads but luckily I have all mine plumbed underneatht the tank and am pushing out 1200 gallons per hour so he couldnt really fight the current coming out of them.

Here is a little compilation of videos of my Snowflake Moray Eel if you want to check it out. This one is pretty small actually, about 10 inches long and around the width of a dime or so. It is always best to buy them around this size since smaller ones are more sensitive and easily stressed while bigger ones are more set in their ways and may cause havoc to the other fish in your tank. Also, make sure you ask to see the LFS feed it to make sure that it is eating since they are sometimes not willing to eat and starve which it is in your best interest to not bring them home.

http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l162/tommygunnz76/?action=view&current=MyS.flv

Thank you for the advice. I was going with a 55 but 75 is fine so will opt for that and going to lay base rock on the tank bottom than cement live rock on that than put in the sand .
will make sure it eats before I buy it . Not going to have fish just one snowflake live rock feather dusters maybe some mushrooms.

Thanks

Going to look at video now

Lean

 

[Lean]

Ive kept snowflakes they are great. I would'nt keep two in one tank though, especially in a 75. I will tell you that even though you can get them pencil size, they grow at an incredible rate when they are small. All eels are escape artist so make sure your tank is fully covered on top, the smallest hole and you are risking find it on the ground the next day when you come from work.

I was going with 2 but after reading the replies here decided one is best thanks alot.

Lean

 

[Lean]

Snowflakes are great! I've got one I've kept for years. I wouldn't put two in one tank, though. A snowflake and a larger zebra might be a better choice. They can lock up pretty viciously when feeding.

Thanks the replies I got here all said same thing thus decided one is fine as dont want fighting,killing.

Thanks again

Lean

 

[Lean]

the zebras will get qhite large though so it probably isnt a good idea long term
i had one for a bit over a year, then he got his head stuck under a rock when he was digging

I looked into zebras they do get large the only small ones were the dwarf Golden morays (pricey )but I like the black/white look so opted for snowflakes but will get only 1 now not 2 .

thanks

Lean

 

[ILuvTriggerfish]

Mine attacked and killed 2 lionsfish. One nice sized volitans and one dwarf. Be careful. When they get hungry, they get ugly.