Ghost Eel

[fishyfreek]

Is it safe to put a ghost eel in a reef tank because I REALLY want one?

 

[Anonymous]

what else do you have in the tank? I think they will eat (or attempt to eat) any animals (fish, shrimp, crab, etc) that can fit inside the mouth.

 

[Anonymous]

While they won't bother corals most eels of the family Ophichthidae, will eat crustaceans and smaller fish. They also need open spaces (less rockwork the better) in which to swim unlike moray eels and a fairly deep sandbed in which to hide. They will be picked on by more aggressive fish species. They are also very apt to escape from open topped reef tanks.
I'd pass on one in a reef tank.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[fishyfreek]

I have

1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Scooter Blenny
2 Cinnamon Clowns
1 Domino Damsel
1 Firefish
1 Blue tang
a blub anemone
and i have some cleaner shrimp and snails

 

[Anonymous]

I have

1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Scooter Blenny
2 Cinnamon Clowns
1 Domino Damsel
1 Firefish
1 Blue tang
a blub anemone
and i have some cleaner shrimp and snails

It will eat the blennies, the firefish, and the cleaner shrimp; the Domino Damsel will more than likely harrass it to starvation.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[GSchiemer]

I wrote an article on the White or Ghost Ribbon Eel (Pseudechidna brummeri) in the September 2004 issue of Advanced Aquarist Online. There is no direct link to the article but you can find it through the archives page: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/index/

BTW, the ghost ribbon eel is one of the better eels for a reef aquarium. I've had mine with Pajama Cardinals and an algae blennie for many years without incident.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

I wrote an article on the White or Ghost Ribbon Eel (Pseudechidna brummeri) in the September 2004 issue of Advanced Aquarist Online. There is no direct link to the article but you can find it through the archives page: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/index/

BTW, the ghost ribbon eel is one of the better eels for a reef aquarium. I've had mine with Pajama Cardinals and an algae blennie for many years without incident.

Greg

I wonder if we are all talking about the same eel here. Sounds like David is talking about an eel that is not a moray. I couldn't find any references to just a "ghost eel", but plenty to a "ghost moray eel".

fishyyfreek,
Do you know the scientific name of the eel you are looking to purchase? Can you describe it, size, markings, thickness? Does it look like this? (Greg's pic)

If it is P. brummeri they do make great reef eels due to their small size. Won't get much thicker than your pinkie. I think it would very likely eat the firefish, however, and maybe the scooter blenny depending on the size of the blenny. It will also pose a threat to any shrimp you have in the tank.

 

[Ben1]

Good artical Greg!

 

[Anonymous]

Here's the direct link to the article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... 4/fish.htm

 

[fishyfreek]

the species name is Uropterygius concolor

 

[Anonymous]

the species name is Uropterygius concolor

That's a Snake Moray not a Snake Eel (Ghost Eels). :wink:
Provide plenty of live rock for hiding spaces.
It will eat your crustaceans, snails, small fish and even bite the hand that feeds it. It will escape from open topped reef tanks.
Not exactly reef safe.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[fishyfreek]

I thought about it and im not going to get him thanks for your help!

 

[Anonymous]

the species name is Uropterygius concolor

This is synonomous with P. brummeri I believe. I doubt it would go after snails. Shrimp will get eaten. I've been bitten numerous times by one and it doesn't hurt a bit. They don't have sharp teeth, and they are probably less than an inch in circumference full grown.

I think this would make a fine eel for a reef aquarium with the right precautions. You need either a covered top of window screening or to do what Greg did. I would also not trust it with small slender bodied fish like firefish or flasher wrasses.