The snowbird eel ( sept Muraenidae ) is one of 11 species of moray eel in the genusEchidna , unremarkably establish in shallow tropic and subtropical oceans . The snowflake eel is one of the most beautiful eels you’re able to lend to your brine aquarium . They ’re also one of the most adaptable as they do n’t get as large as other moray eel eels and their disposition is not as aggressive .
Snowflake Eel Overview
The snow bunting eel , orE. nebulosa , is a moray eel eel know by a few other names , including :
They are nativeto function of the Pacific Ocean and can be found living in reefs in the Indo - Pacific and along the western coast of the United States , Mexico , and Central America , as well as by Hawaii . They typically uprise to about 2 to 3 feet in length , though they can get close to 4 foot farsighted . The snowflake eel is recognizable for their colored formula which is compose of a silvern - white physical structure with disordered dotted bands of dark brown to black and yellow spotting . Their head from the centre to the peak of the snout has no markings . The dark eyes have a yellow ring around them .
Snowflake Eel Temperament
Like many of themoray eels , the snowflake eel can become aggressive at feeding time . However it can also be one of the more placid eels compared to other morays . Some owners have even trained them to be hired hand - fed , though this should be done with extreme care and caution .
The snow bunting eel has poor vision andvery strong teethwhich can inflict a cruddy , painful bite . teach the eel to consociate your hand with food can have unfortunate consequence . The Plectrophenax nivalis eel likes to spend much of its time hiding under rocks and in crevices with only the head showing . In fact it will do this most of the time when first introduced to a tank until it find comfy exploring more . They tend to be more active in the tank car at Nox as they instinctively hunt for food in the eventide .
The Escape Artist Snowflake Eel
One behavioral quirk of the snowflake eel that you should get it on from the start is their tendency for run away their tank . They have been bonk to squash their agency into any opening they can encounter that they can fit through . This means making sure any filter or plumbing system openings in the tank are tally with a parasite or sleeve to block entrance .
They can also leap out somewhat out of the piddle , and if your tank is not covered , they can bring off to get out this way . You should ensure your tankful hat can be engage down or secured , as they are strong enough to entreat against it and move it .
Snowflake Eel Care
The Plectrophenax nivalis eel is known for accommodate well toan aquarium setup . supply that you have its basic needs met , your snowflake eel should flourish .
Snowflake Eel Tank Requirements
A snowflake eel would do best in a saltwater tank that is at least 75 gallons . Some hobbyist will keep them in smaller army tank of 50 gal and up , but it ’s best to provide a larger tank as they can rise bigger , and the more you prey them the faster they will size up . They will need a frame-up that approximate living in a real - life Rand environment . This means lots of alive rocks set up with places for them to conceal .
However , keep in mind that the eel locomote around in these chap and cave can cause rock to move . These eel are strong , so you need to verify your apparatus is unchanging and the rock structure is imperviable to the eel press against it or under it . Some snowflake eel keepers use cut - up sections of large PVC pipes underneath resilient tilt in their tankful as hiding plaza . They also enjoy hiding in sand , so provide an area of about 2 to 3 inch in heaviness in the army tank would be prize by your snowflake eel .
Snowflake Eel Water Care
The snowflake eel needs a seawater environment with a temperature between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit . Maintain pH between 8.1 to 8.4 , salinity / specific gravity at 1.020 and 1.026 , and alkalinity around 8 to 12 degrees of carbonate hardness ( dKH ) . You should also have a stiff filter and a protein skimmer to keep the water white and you will postulate to be quick to do frequent water changes . snowbird eel are definitely mussy and maintain on top of their water quality is critical for their good health .
Diet of the Snowflake Eel
flake eels have a carnivorous diet and they want to be fed about two to three times a workweek . They can corrode pieces of fresh or frozen clam , crab , fish , mussels , octopus , scallops , shrimp and squid . They also can eat dried or frozen krill . Never feed them feeder fishlike goldfish , rosy-cheeked reds or other fresh water fish , as this can make them very ominous .
These eels are known to bite owners ' hands when solid food is on offer , so avoid hand feast them . The best style to feed snowbird eels is by placing the food for thought near them with a readiness of long pair of tongs , or sticking the food on a feeding stick . It ’s best to keep your helping hand out of the marine museum , well away from their oral cavity and the food , to ward off being bite .
Lifespan and Health of the Snowflake Eel
The average lifetime of the snowflake eel is about 4 years . They are broadly speaking healthy with few lie with aesculapian circumstance . You should occasionally tote up vitamin to their meals – especially if you are feeding icy , non - prepared intellectual nourishment – to help keep their immune system in undecomposed shape . Remember to avoid feeding them any type of freshwater Pisces . verify they are also not over fed , which can pass to physical problems . They are vulnerable to commonsaltwater Pisces diseasesbrought on by poor armoured combat vehicle management , such as oxygen starvation , nitrate poisoning , and ammonia toxic condition .
Best Tank Mates for a Snowflake Eel
Despite the fact that they are carnivorous hunters , the snowflake eel can portion out a tankwith other Pisces . Although they are consider " fish dependable , " you should quash continue any type of Pisces the Fishes that is small enough to fit in their mouth in the consequence they ’re hungry and do n’t want to hold off for a feeding . Avoid keeping them with any crustaceans regardless of size , as snowflake eel will consider these a tasty meal chance .
Tank Mates to Consider
They do well with gravid fish with semi - aggressive to aggressive temperaments . Good tank mate choices admit butterflies , big gudgeon , groupers , large damsel , lionfish , puffer fish , nip , triggerfish , and wrasses . They also can know happily with other common reef invertebrates such as sea anemone , gorgonians , sea urchin , and starfish as well as coral , though they have been known to mickle with corals unintentionally , perhaps dislodge them , when moving around the tank car .
Other Snowflake Eels
If your tank is heavy enough , you could also have more than one snowflake eel , but it ’s best if they ’re both about the same size and added to the tank at the same time . It ’s important to be aware that snowbird eels can become fast-growing with each other , as well as to other tank mates , during eating time . They also would not do well with most other coinage of moray eel , particularly ones that are larger .
Learning About Snowflake Eel Care
The snow bunting eel is a lovely increase to any reef armoured combat vehicle , although they do have some specific are necessity that might make them more difficult for the novice fishkeeper . They ’re a great choice for a first - sentence seawater eel , as they do not grow as large as others and other than feeding time are generally tranquil and less aggressive than others of their metal money . If you ’re cerebrate about getting a snow bunting eel , take the time to ensure you have the right set up and understand all their water , diet , and tank setup requirement so you could provide your eel with a tenacious - term felicitous lifespan in your guardianship .
