Eel lost his tail, looking for advice       9/27/18
So I ended up purchasing two black ribbon eels.
<Aye ya; not easily kept. The vast majority die in captivity due to stress, starvation, w/in a month of capture>
I know they are notoriously difficult to get eating but I was ready and willing to put the effort in.
<Ah, good>
I bought 2 because I had read they feel more comfortable in pairs and eat more readily. The larger one eats everything and anything you put in that tank now, to include my fingers which he has no problem
attacking repeatedly. The smaller eel was tougher, I had to work through every type of food I had until I managed to get him interested in a piece of silver side that had flayed a little and looked like a small fish. A couple of days later he took another piece with less coaxing. So after a month of work and getting very good at making dead things look alive I thought I was out of the woods, then the small one didn't come out anymore. I watched and searched but found nothing which wasn't like him, even when he didn't eat he showed up to linger in the water column.
Anyway, I started doing ammonia tests again and my kids thought they saw a green tinge and given that he only ate a little, along with the week missing even after moving rocks to look, I thought he had died in the tubes. Now I didn't want to kill him if he was alive, so I worked out a way to pull a dead eel out of these tubes without causing harm (so I thought). I evacuated the other eel and held him in a net and then put the largest siphon I could get in the PVC and started it. Within moments he passed through and was alive.
<How large/diameter were the siphon and the eel?!>
I was extremely excited and went to prepare a new home in the refugium where i could better target feed him and make sure he was going to make it. However, when I got ready to move him to his new home I noticed a section of him wasn't there anymore...
<Ohh>
I can't imagine another fish did this, and I grounded all my rocks so I doubt he got stuck, but I can't believe a siphon was able to rip his tail off. He's still swimming but I don't know what to do to make things better for his recovery (if recovery is even an option). I'm reaching out to anyone and everyone for advice. Thank you for your time.
V/R
James Williams
<Likely the tail damage is due more to bacterial/decomposer action than anything else.
I'd be doing what you can to boost this fish's immune system (HUFAs, Vitamins, probiotics added to foods, directly to the water), and maintaining optimized water quality in the hope of tipping the balance to
your Rhinomuraena. Bob Fenner>

Sick Zebra Moray     6/27/18 Hello, <Hi Lindsay.> I noticed just today that my zebra moray eel (I have no idea the gender, but for sake of this email, will call it a male) is a little swollen around his rectum with “stuff” protruding out, I have attached a photo. He is breathing normal and ate fine yesterday. He is acting normal other than nudging his head into the swollen area and kind of biting at it. He is approximately 28” long and at least 2” around. He is in a 120 gallon (FOWLR) display tank with a 3” sand bed and approximately 150 pounds of live rock, I built him his own cave in one corner of the tank with several entrance/exit holes that he peeks his head out of. I also have a 30 gallon sump that includes filtration, a refugium with Chaetomorpha linum and an ASM G-2 skimmer. Tank mates include a dogface puffer (Arothron nigropunctatus), saddle wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey), azure damsel (Chrysiptera hemicyanea), panther grouper (Cromileptes altivelis), harlequin tusk (Choerodon fasciatus), blue jaw trigger (Xanthichthys auromarginatus), niger trigger (Odonus niger)and a Picasso trigger (Rhinecanthus aculeatus). His normal diet consists of frozen Mysis shrimp and mussels as well as a marine carnivore mix of clams, shrimp, krill, scallops, oysters, perch, whitefish and squid 3-4 times per week. I recently added the grouper and harlequin and I bought silversides to feed them and the eel has eaten a piece here and there that the other fish have missed and let fall into his cave. Tank parameters are as follows: pH 7.9, salinity 1.023, temperature 80`F, ammonia 0, nitrites 0 and nitrates 20ppm. I perform a 20% water change every 2 weeks, today being day 10 since last water change. I do have a quarantine tank set up, but it is only 10 gallons, as all of my fish were small when they were purchased. I would appreciate any advice on what to do. Thank you in advance. Lindsay. <pH could be higher, the other water parameters are ok. Diet sounds adequate and varied (though usually G. zebra does not eat fish). The food could be enriched with vitamins. Can't classify what is protruding from its anus, but from your description I guess this eel might be constipated. Epsom salt (1-2 tablespoons of Epsomite per 10 gallons water) can offer some relief. It's a mild muscle relaxant and laxative. Raising the temperature by 1-2°C of F can also speed up the metabolism. Good luck. Marco.>

Moray Eel Prognosis      3/16/18
Good morning!
<Hi Sydney.>
The recent nor’easter hit while my family was away on a ski trip, and we were not informed of the power outage in our community until about 36 hours after it had started. As a result, I lost all but one inhabitant of my FOWLR setup, a 15” chain moray who somehow survived without any filtration or heat for nearly three days. In the weeks since the outage, Eunis has escaped from her tank twice.
<Check the water parameters, esp. Ammonia, Nitrates and pH. Power outage can result not only in dying fishes, but also bacteria and invertebrates, which can lead to declining water quality. There usually is a reason when settled moray eels try to leave a tank. Maybe it's the water quality here. Do a large water change if that's the case. In addition, I'd use some cover to prevent the eel from escaping.>
I was worried for a while that she wouldn’t make it, but as of yesterday, she ate!
<Very good.>
My question from here regards her prognosis. What is the likelihood that she’ll make a full recovery? Also, how will I know that she’s out of the woods?
<If your moray eel eats the prognosis are quite good (provide a varied diet, maybe add vitamins, see WWM re). Refusing food usually is the first thing they do when they don't feel well. Chainlink morays, Echidna catenata, are a very hardy species. I'm not surprised it's the last survivor und hope it has taken no permanent damage.>
Thank you so much for your time!
Regards, Sydney Weaver
<Good luck! Cheers, Marco.>

To Marco- Help with Moray Eel disease      3/15/18 Hi! <Hello Adrian.> I could really need some help treat our infected moray eels. They have gotten a blood sucking worm that only attacks the eels. It look like brown hairy looking strings. <Looks nasty. Can't definitely ID them, though.> We have tried cleaner wrasse and shrimp and freshwater dip. My boss confirms its not anchor worms and we don't have any medicine currently to treat it. The only working solution we have found is removing it manually, but they spread again after a short while. <Can you get Flubenol 5% in Norway? (I think so) It's often used for e.g. chickens or pigs as well as fishes and kills a wide range of internal and external worms. Only use it in a hospital tank without sand (but some PVC pipes as caves) or use it as baths/dips. Siphon the bottom of the tank for any eggs (or cysts depending on what they are exactly. If you can't get Flubenol you can also try some product with Praziquantel.> The eels came infected from Indonesia but it took a while before we noticed it. Best Regards Adrian <Good luck. Marco.> *I attached a picture of the worms <Nasty!>

Zebra eel laying on it's side      12/29/17 <... 12 meg file; why do we ask folks to limit images to a few hundred Kbytes?> Hello so I have had this eel zebra approximately 2 foot 1" diameter <1"? Too thin> he is currently housed in my 75gl tank (total water volume is closer to 120 with sump , while I set up and cycle a 250gl (total volume 350) anyways So I had a battle with Cyano, under dosed Chemi clean to clear it up , did a water change and then had a cold snap and temps in the tank dropped from 77-78 to 74 . slowly brought temps back up over a 12-24 hour period ... but since then, my eel has been getting worse. He started not eating ( not uncommon for eels to go on strike ) but then he started listing side to side... now pretty much is always on his side <... this fish appears poisoned (the Cyano, Boyd product side-effect/s, lava rock?). I would MOVE it NOW to another system> Well today he was completely out of the rock work and on his side/back. I checked water and came up with Temp 78.2 Ph 8.2 Am 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 20-30ppm ( kind of my tanks natural area I'm not one to chase numbers I like stability) Phos. 0.25 Again these are all pretty normal parameters for my tank. The stocking in the tank includes Zebra eel 2 large old clowns Firefish Matted file Cleaner shrimp Diamond goby Scooter blenny Decorator crab 6 Trochus snails And 2 uncatchable peppermints Oh and a fu Manchu dwarf lion So anyways I looked over my eel and no cuts growths , marks , some old scars from before I had him but all and all a healthy (looking) I noticed it's swollen around his...... Um. "Vent" ( natures exit hole) And if touched in that area he does not approve .. So I'm sure I am missing some sort of important info but it's been a week and a half and I'm getting worried I have attached a picture of said eel and the area around his "vent" <Bob Fenner> Re: Zebra eel laying on it's side      12/29/17 AHHHHH! <Move it; stat! B>

re: Zebra eel laying on it's side   12/30/17 No lava rock in my system , but once moved to a ht do I add any meds? <No medications suggested; no. B>

HELP, MY EEL IS SICK      12/29/17 Hi, I was told to contact Bob Fenner about a problem with my Moray Eel that I have yet to fix or figure out. I'm afraid he's about to die. I will try to attach a video and pictures <I've read your three posts... And am sending them to MarcoL for his separate response. We need more information: details re the system itself, tankmates, water quality tests, your history with this fish... Bob Fenner> Amanda , with sick Eel      12/29/17 The video I have is too big to send. He won't eat, he has these sores that keep popping up and getting bigger, he sometimes is on his side or at times his back for a short time and constantly gasping ( I'm not sure if the gasping is a normal thing for them, I don't remember him doing it before) <Not constantly.> When I try to feed him he won't go to the food, and if he touches it to see what it is he shakes his head and leaves it. He's very lethargic acting <Need more information. What have you been feeding? What are the water parameters (esp. nitrates, pH)? Tankmates? Looks like a bacterial infection at first glance. Marco.>

My snowflake eel has a white fungus     12/3/17 I am not sure what it is and he had it for last 3 months. He is moving around normally and eating a diet of silversides and clams <Usually eat crustaceans; in the wild. I would expand, supplement this diet. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snoflkeelfdgfaqs.htm but these white blotches are getting thicker. Do you have a recommendation for a treatment? <Mmm, first determining what the root cause is here. Something environmental rather than pathogenic methinks. Do you have water quality input/test results to share? What re the make up of the system? Any sharp, like volcanic rock? What are the other livestock, fish and non-fish here? These marks look more like physical trauma... Am sharing w/ our resident Muraenid expert, MarcoL, for his independent input. Bob Fenner>

Re: My snowflake eel has a white fungus... RMF plus Marco!      12/4/17 Thank you for the quick response. <Welcome> I have a puffer, two tangs, Foxface and a black tip eel. <The puffer is likely the perpetrator here. Don't know what species you're referring to as a black tip eel> No live rock or volcanic rock but some semi sharp fake corals. I will send ph, nitrate Ext tests soon but last week went to Fish store and they said everything was good. <... need values> I have a UV light, sump with bio balls <... Nitrate issue> and a protein skimmer. Tank established for 3 years. Eel is 4 yrs old since it’s been with me but he was big when I got him. About 2.5 feet long <Neat! I'd move it or the puffer to another system. Bob Fenner> <<Most likely environmental (high nitrates, low pH) in combination with diet. Needs more than silversides and clams. Keep it varied, try crustaceans, other fishes and add vitamins. Puffer bites have a typical circular shape with an intact center. If you observe the puffer harassing the eel, you need to separate them. Also see http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snoflkeeldisfaqs.htm. Good luck, Marco.>> Re: My snowflake eel has a white fungus /RMF     12/4/17 Ph was 8.1 No nitrate, nitrite or ammonia in tank <No NO3? How do you render the system thus?> Copper was very low- last treatment was 4 months ago to help an ich issue which fixed my two fish. <Ahh; eels don't tolerate copper exposure well> Salinity is at 23 <1.023 is a bit low... BobF> Re: My snowflake eel has a white fungus /Marco     12/4/17 Thanks Marco <No problem.> I’ll add to the diet and add vitamin (any recommendation?). <Vita-Chem Marine (Boyd) added on the food.> Puffer hasn’t been going after and he had the white spots prior to adding puffer two weeks ago. Would Melafix work? <Probably not. I'd rather do water changes to get rid of the copper. Even small concentrations are toxic to eels and most likely sensitive puffers. Don't forget to check the tank's pH. Cheers, Marco.>

Echidna polyzona: Banded Moray    7/17/17
Hello There,
<Ingrid>
I'm writing to you all in concern over my moray. I've had "her" for six years and in that time she's grown from the size of a pencil to a 26 inch beautiful specimen.
<Full size!>
She has recently become "bloated" to the end of her anal which leads me to believe she is having a problem passing food waste, or the weirder option she is full of unfertilized eggs?
<Not at the end of the anal, no>
She lives in a 46 gallon bow-front with some cleaner crabs, a clown goby and a decent population of snails and feather dusters.
I'm very concerned that it's a nutrient deficiency or bacterial infection.
Any light you could shed on this situation would be sooo appreciated. I was really looking forward to grow old with this eel as she is a member of the family. Is it too early for me to be completely distraught?
Thanks Much,
Doyle.
<Am going to refer you to friend, WWM Crewmember and Moray specialist Marco Lichtenberger here. Bob Fenner>
Echidna polyzona: Banded Moray Here's Marco     7/18/17
Hello There,
<Hi Doyle.>
I'm writing to you all in concern over my moray. I've had "her" for six years and in that time she's grown from the size of a pencil to a 26 inch beautiful specimen. She has recently become "bloated" to the end of her anal which leads me to believe she is having a problem passing food waste,
<Probably this or an infection with parasites or bacteria.>
or the weirder option she is full of unfertilized eggs?
<Would be swollen in front of the cloaca, not so around it.>
She lives in a 46 gallon bow-front with some cleaner crabs, a clown goby and a decent population of snails and feather dusters. I'm very concerned that it's a nutrient deficiency or bacterial infection.
<Possible.>
Any light you could shed on this situation would be sooo appreciated. I was really looking forward to grow old with this eel as she is a member of the family. Is it too early for me to be completely distraught?
<It's too early. Maybe Epsom Salt can offer some relief (see WWM re). Also, if the eel still eats it's not too late to start a varied diet and add vitamins. In addition, check the temperature. Constipation of tropical eels seems to occur more often in colder water.>
Thanks Much, Doyle.
<Good luck. Marco.>

Eel (Gymnothorax melatremus ) won't eat on CP for 3 weeks      5/13/17
I recently had to QT my Kole Tang, Harlequin Tusk, and dwarf golden Moray eel (Gymnothorax melatremus) due to a velvet outbreak. I've been treating the tank with 45mg/gal of CP. Everyone looks good. No more flashing and both fish are eating. The tank is BB with PVC fittings.
Now to the problem, my eel hasn't eaten (that I've seen) for 3 weeks.
<Might be the CP exposure; I'd stop it now>
He ate a big chunk of mixed food the day before the transfer, because I assumed that no one would eat until they settled in. He is VERY active. He swims all around the tank at night. During the day he hangs out in his PVC
pipe elbow. If I try to feed him, he sometimes takes a sniff and then seems like he's scared of it. I was wondering if it's the CP messing with his sense of smell because of the metal taste.
<Something like this>
At what point do I worry? I was thinking about putting the carbon in the filter and starting water changes. Is 21 days enough to kill velvet (or Ich, but I am confident that it was velvet)?
<I'd soak favored foods in appetite stimulant; such as SeaChem Appevite... and keep offering daily>
I've tried fresh oysters, mussels, squid, clam, etc. He seemed most interested in a silverside before the tusk stole it. In the DT he ate every 3-4 days. When he was swimming around the other night I tried to feed him
thinking he was hunting, but he just hid when I opened the lid.
<Morays, most eels of "good (index of) fitness, can go for long periods sans food. Don't give up. Bob Fenner>
Re: Eel (Gymnothorax melatremus ) won't eat on CP for 3 weeks      5/13/17
Thanks for the quick reply. I will add carbon tonight and start partial water changes with un-medicated water. My original plan was a 28 day CP treatment to be safe, but do you agree that a 21 day regimen was enough?
<I myself would stop now... another week may be more deleterious than advantageous. Bob Fenner>
Re: Eel (Gymnothorax melatremus ) won't eat on CP for 3 weeks      6/5/17
Greetings. I thought I would write to give you some good news.
<Ahh; always appreciated>
I know you usually only hear from people when things are wrong. I have been seeing things recently that led me to believe that my eel was eating. This morning, I finally saw him eat some food. I was so relieved to see that,
and now I feel much better about my quarantine and fallow period. I only hope that the 21 days was enough to eradicate the parasite that was on the fish.
I think it was because no one is showing any signs of flashing the way that they were before. Thanks for all the advice. You are a treasure to the hobby.
Jason
<Cheers Jas. Bob Fenner>

Dragon morays... Hlth. diag., sys. f's      5/3/17
Hey Crew,
I'm a little concerned about CO2 and O2 levels in a basement tank. Set up is a 180 gallon 72x22x24 acrylic tank with 60 gallon sump large skimmer and lots of live rock in sump and display tank. My return pump is actually for a pond.
<Hopefully w/ no metal to corrode, leach into the system>
I have to restrict it with a ball valve to control water flow.
<Mmm; I'd be checking (the stamp AND consumption directly) re watts here. I live in a town w/ very expensive electricity. You may be better off investing in another pump>
I also have a large chamber in the sump with a mass of Cheto to control Nitrates. In habitants are two dragon morays
<Will need more room than this in time>
and a hand full of damsels, snails and crabs. So my one of my dragons has always had a faster respiration then the other but both breath harder at times then other morays I've kept? Is this a Enchelycore thing?
<No and no; s/b about the same>
My tank is in my basement should I be concerned about C02?
<I hope not; but I would check, AND install a CO2 meter>
Not sure how to post videos for you to actually see what I'm talking about
but here is a link?
<Ah, good>
https://youtu.be/BqmrGX7xtIM
https://youtu.be/KXmhvpqxkro
<Mmm; the lighter colored animal IS respiring too quickly to suit me...
What is the water temperature here? I'd lower it to the mid 70's F...
slowing metabolism, increasing DO...), and the rock here? Appears to have a bunch of BGA on it (likely too toxic)... See, as in READ on WWM re limiting this. Do you have a DO test kit? I'd procure one ASAPractical and test here... AND in the meanwhile use a pound or two of GAC in your filter flow path and a pad or two of PolyFilter. Bob Fenner>
As always thank you not only for your reply but also for your service.
You guys are awesome.
Sincerely Brad.
Re: Dragon morays      5/4/17
Thank you Bob,
<Welcome Brad>
-Pond pump ( 2700 gph) is a sealed unit much like an aquarium pump no metal and only 30watts.
<Ah, good; and a bargain watt-wise!>
-I keep the temp @78 maybe I should lower it?
<Yes I would; at least for now... 74-75>
Water quality is as follows ( 0 ammonia , 0 nitrites and below .005-.010 Nitrates.
and rarely ever changes.
<How are Nitrates rendered thus? You may have a toxicity issue w/ chemical filtrants>
-I will read up about BGA
But tank overall has very little algae.
<The purplish red material on the rock is my concern. Need to sample, look under a scope...>
GAC will be added in sump.
<In a bag (likely Dacron/polyester), in the water flow path>
The lighter eel has always been like this but otherwise acts normal.
I do have the returns pointed to the surface and there is a lot of turbulence/ gas exchange.
<Good; this and the skimmer should render DO at saturation (7-8 ppm)>
There is one more thing I didn't mention. I have a auto top off which is feed through a 3 stage carbon filter. I do not have an RO unit. But I would suspect a ton of algae of my phosphates were over the top though.
<Mmm; not necessarily. Again, it may be that other real algae (Thallophytes) are being displaced, outcompeted by the Cyanobacteria>
I work in the auto field and understand trying to diagnose people's issues without actually seeing everything so I appreciate your willingness to give your opinion and expertise.
<Heeeeee! Don't you and I know it/this!>
And yes I will most likely have to re-home one of my beloved eels. Like Marco I absolutely love morays especially Enchelycore sp. thanks again Mr. Fenner.
Brad
<Cheers Brad. Will share w/ MarcoL. Bob Fenner>
Re: Dragon morays.     Here's Marco!      5/4/17
Hi Brad and Bob,
both eels breathe rather fast for my taste, especially the lighter one.
As Bob notes , that's not an Enchelycore thing. I'd try slightly reducing the temperature and increase the water flow on the surface even more. In addition, check the pH. Should be at least 8.0, better 8.2-8.4.
Also, ensure that the basement itself gets enough fresh air.
Cheers,
Marco
<Thank you/Danke Marco. BobF>

Golden Dwarf Eel Problems       4/17/17 Hello, <Natalie> I have a golden dwarf moray eel that started having some significant behavioral changes about a month ago. He started breathing harder and faster and started refusing food when he would normally eat vigorously. <The two principal issues of environment and nutrition come to mind immediately... Too little DO, too much organic content and Thiaminase poisoning in particular> Now he stays on the floor of the tank and doesn't move much, seeming to have a bit of difficulty swimming, though he stays upright and is responsive to stimuli. He moved to a spot where I could get a good look at his body today and I think his stomach area may be a bit distended and a bit dark. I have had him for about a year during which he has been thriving, and he lived in someone else's tank for some time before he was brought to the store I worked at. I don't know what he was being fed or how often by his previous owner, but I have been feeding him once a week, primarily feeding squid, shrimp, and silversides (squid was his favorite). <Trouble. Vitamin B issue at least a factor here. DO read HERE: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_6/volume_6_1/thiaminase.htm NEED to change this diet, and likely supplement/soak foods to restore balance> He is in a 12g <... much too small... the other issues alluded to... likely insufficient dissolved oxygen... other variable water quality problems. NEEDS a bigger, more stable world> with no other fish, just a few snails and hermit crabs, and some rocks from his original tank with plenty of caves and tunnels. There are a few corals, mostly Zoanthids, <Toxic> and no anemones or other strong stingers. Water parameters are very stable. Temp: 78 F Nitrate: <10 ppm Nitrite: 0 ppm Ammonia: 0 ppm pH: 8.4 Salinity: 1.024 <All these values are good> The tank is very well-oxygenated, and I think I've gotten him to eat a scrap or two of garlic-soaked squid and octopus during this time period, though I am unsure as I had to leave it in front of him and check back a few minutes later as he won't tong-feed anymore. I used to dose iodine for my corals as I was unaware that eels needed this, I stopped about six months ago and have recently taken up dosing once a week again after reading some of your articles. Do you think the possible stomach swelling could be goiter or constipation? <Possibly; yes> Is it too late for him to recover, and if not, about what time frame should I expect recovery to occur in? <Not too late> I have been worried sick over him and really do not want to lose him. Should I continue to try to offer food? I have not attempted any feeding for about a week. Any other suggestions? <The Thiaminase reading and action>

Re: Golden Dwarf Eel Problems       4/17/17 Thank you, the article was very helpful. A few follow-up questions: I bought some Vitality and fresh predator mix food which I soaked and added garlic <Worthless> to, but it seems like it won't make a difference if he won't eat. I left a small piece of clam meat in front of him and he sniffed around for a bit but just curled around it and did nothing for several minutes until a hermit crab got to it. Can I add a small amount of Vitality to the water to help a little bit? <Might help> I know it's no substitute for soaked food, but I want to try and make some progress. How often should I try offering food? <Read on. B> Thank you, Natalie M. <Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Japanese Dragon Eel HELP!!!!!! Mysterious losses... env.      4/6/17
I was wondering if you guys could possibly shed some light on a problem I'm having with Japanese Dragon eels.
<I will respond here and have sent your message on to MarcoL for his sep. resp.>
I am currently on my 3rd specimen within a 2 year period. The other 2 passed away after being in my current tank after 1 year and about 7 months respectively. Unfortunately, the one in my tank now I fear won't make it
through the night, and has only been in the tank for 1 week.
<Mmm; something wrong here... environmentally likely. Do you measure dissolved oxygen?>
I have a 150 gallon display tank with a 20 gallon sump setup and refugium. I run a protein skimmer, carbon reactor, and biopellet reactor.
<Why this last?>
Temp 78F, ph8.2, salinity 1.023-1.025, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 20-40.
There is about 130 pounds of live rock, sand bottom, and terracotta pots (non glazed) in the main tank. There are also anywhere from 6-12 damsels in the tank at any given time, who do not seem to ever be affected (3 of which have been in the tank since the beginning).
<A good clue>
Diet consists of haddock, striped bass, squid, silversides, shrimp, krill, etc... Every eel has appeared to be in great health. Very active during the day. Very social with anyone that walks up to the tank. Great appetites. However, out of the blue it is like a switch is flipped and they stop eating, begin "gasping",
<This too>
become very lethargic, then die within a day or two. I have tried water changes, antibiotics, antiparasitics, without any luck. The first 2 eels were around 18-24 inches, while this new one is only about 12 inches. Any ideas what could be going on and why it only affects the eels?
<The DO issue comes to mind most prominently. A 150 isn't much room for a large eel... I'd add aeration... mechanically; and check to see that O2 is near saturation (7 or so ppm) here. Bob Fenner>
Thanks for any advice or help, Evan
Fwd: Japanese Dragon Eel HELP!!!!!!     4/6/17
I forgot to mention I have a full cleanup crew of Nassarius snails, blue legged hermits and peppermint shrimp that also appear to never be affected.
<Also leading me to suspect gas solubility issue. BobF>
Re: Japanese Dragon Eel HELP!!!!!!     4/6/17
Bob,
Thank you for such a quick response...sadly though, this eel has passed as well. In terms of O2, how do I measure it?
<There are colorimetric assays like for much of what interests aquarists water-quality wise; as well as more expensive electronic meters>
Would the protein skimmer add enough O2 into the system?
<Not necessarily, no>
Could the terra-cotta be leaching some sort of poison?
<Mmm; good question: A point of fact is that there ARE other possible sources of morbidity, mortality here that would disfavor a large Muraenid (over damsels, the mix of invertebrates you mentioned)... I would remove
ALL that is questionable. I might avail myself of PolyFilter... as an aid (via coloring) as to what might be trouble here>
If O2 related, why do you think the larger eels lasted so much longer than the little one, who only survived 1 week and was doing great at my LFS for months in a much smaller tank and a Kidako eel tankmate?
<Can't say directly... but this IS the case... that smaller eels are more easily poisoned, die from env. stress vs. larger. I would have you (it will take a while) read generally re such HERE:
http://wetwebmedia.com/toxictkuf.htm
AND the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Golden Dwarf Moray issue       10/19/16 Hello, <Hi Sam.> I have a pair of golden dwarf moray eels recently added to my 55 gallon reef tank. PH 8.3, Salinity 1.026, Nitrites 0, Ammonia 0, Nitrates 0, Phosphates >.5 ppm. There are no other aggressive fish in the tank. Today I noticed something wrong with the larger of the two eels that I have not seen before. One side of his head seems slightly distended and there is some sort of protrusion near the lower left corner of his mouth. The color of this protrusion is whitish. Around the protrusion is a small area of redness. I have tried desperately to get a clear image but have failed utterly. Could I be dealing with worms? He has yet to eat like his younger tankmate but I know that morays can go for protracted periods of time without eating. <Can't tell from the pictures in your other email what the moray is dealing with. I know it's hard to get proper pics, these pics are quite blurry and I'm not sure this is a parasite. If it occurred suddenly, could it be a flap of skin from a wound, maybe a bite from the other eel? Dwarf moray eels don't always tolerate conspecifics and can start fighting for territory. If it developed with time it is more likely a bacterial infection.> My suspicion is that they may be linked. Any input you could provide will be invaluable. These are my absolute favorite fishes in the trade and would hate to lose one to parasites. Thanks, Sam Porter <Check if the protrusion could be a wound and if hostilities occur. If it's a bacterial infection and grows you might need antibiotics. Let's hope the latter is not the case. Good luck. Marco.>

Re: Golden dwarf moray issue - pics      10/20/16 Hello, <John> I just emailed you regarding a problem with one of my two golden dwarf morays. I just managed to get a couple pics for your examination. <Yes; did you (not) see MarcoL's resp? Is archived on WWM; here on the dailies: http://wetwebmedia.com/daily_faqs3.htm Otherwise; I believe Gabe was also going to respond. Bob Fenner> Re: Golden dwarf moray issue. Wound      10/23/16 Marco, Lord of Eels, <Lol... Hi Sam.> Thank you for your assistance. I believe I have identified the wound as a laceration from a sharp piece of rock jutting from my wounded eels favorite hole. I have since removed the sharp edges from that area and the wound is already healing nicely. <That's good news.> However, I am still concerned as he had not eaten in over 3 weeks. I've read the other moray faqs/threads on here and have tried giving him uncooked table shrimp, silversides, mussels, squid and krill all soaked in Selcon with a drop or two of garlic. <Quite a diverse selection. I sometimes had success with offering uncooked salmon to eels on hunger strike. Didn't always work, though.> He has refused all offerings. I am getting increasingly concerned as he has lost a significant amount of girth. Should I attempt live feeders or is there something else worth trying first? <Usually hunger strikes can go on for much longer than 3 weeks, but since you noticed a significant loss of girth I think you could try feeders, especially if the eel has not eaten in captivity, yet. Personally, I used home bred shrimps (for very small morays even red cherry shrimps, for larger ones ghost shrimps and Procambarus crayfish) or fishes (guppies and mollies), but only a few times until dead food was accepted and mostly with recently caught morays.> Thank you for your assistance, Sam <Good luck with feeding the eels. Marco.>

Parasitic worms on Whitemouth moray       7/29/16 Hi guys, Hopefully you can help with medication options for a moray eel. I started to notice zig Zag like lines just under the skin and they seem to be changing locations. Parasitic worms ? This photo looks a lot like what I see. <Yeah; nematodes> I have two eels together a white mouth and a HDM The Whitemouth is the only one effected. He is eating and growing normally but seems to display irritation, head tic's and jerks. Is this something common in morays and if so what is the best product/ method to treat it? <Common enough. See WWM Re. Bob Fenner> Thank you Brad- Re: Parasitic worms on Whitemouth moray       7/29/16 Thank you Bob. <Welcome. And have sent this to MarcoL for his sep. resp. B>

Parasitic worms on Whitemouth moray     /Here's Marco       7/29/16 Hi guys, Hopefully you can help with medication options for a moray eel. I started to notice zig Zag like lines just under the skin and they seem to be changing locations. Parasitic worms ? This photo looks a lot like what I see. I have two eels together a white mouth and a HDM. The Whitemouth is the only one affected. He is eating and growing normally but seems to display irritation, head tics and jerks. Is this something common in morays and if so what is the best product/ method to treat it? Thank you. Brad- <Typical lines of nematodes living in the skin. Use a copper und formalin free Anthelminthic in a separate hospital tank or with higher dosage as aerated baths. Treating in the display is much less probable to work and can negatively affect the system. Good luck. Marco.>

Re: Please help.... bring in another victim of env. dis.. No rdg.     1/25/15
Hi Sir/Madam
<Hi Paul.>
I am seeking some help with my morey lepord erl.
<I guess this should read Leopard moray eel... or maybe Leopard moray Earl.
Yes, Earl would be nice name for a Leopard moray eel. Anyway, from your text I guess you are talking about a Gymnothorax favagineus.>
We have had him for two years he lives in a 800 litre tank with live rock and a skimmer, biomedia and a sock for filterisation.
<filtration.>
About a month ago he wasn't eating as regular as normal he is approx. just under 5 ft in length
<that's quite a big fish for a 800 litre tank.>
and normally has two squids a night (frozen then defrosted first)
<You should keep the diet more varied. Also feed various fish filets, mussels, shrimps...>
so we had the water checked and the only issue was the nitrate was on the second colour down from ok.
<You should get a test, where you get real values. Nitrates should be smaller than 20 mg/l.>
We did a 200 litre water change and I cleaned all the rock and filled the tank back up all ok with this, since then this being nearly two weeks ago he hasn't eaten at all, he is moving around still just has no appetite even for sardines.
<You should do more of those water changes until the nitrates are below 20 mg/l.>
Tonight I checked him and his eyes had gone white and he had lost the yellow in his spots so I turned off the lights and left it for five min.s and when I turned them on again his eyes had gone back to brown and his colour had started coming back.
<That's normal. Many moray eels have a lighter night coloration that
changes back after disturbances, esp. turning on the light. People are often upset when they see it the first time.>
I am quite worried now, but don't know what to do as no one seems to know about these fish.
<I see no problem here so far. It's normal for Leopard moray eels and many other morays to refuse to eat for weeks from time to time. The night coloration is also normal. Educate yourself about nitrates und get a test that can measure ppm or mg/l, then do water changes about twice per week until they are below 20 mg/l and keep them there. Also check temperature
and pH, and vary the diet once he is eating again. Please
see http://www.wetwebmedia.com/EelPIX/Moray%20Eels/tesselatedMorayF.htm 
and http://www.wetwebmedia.com/moraysysfaqs.htm  and 
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/moraysysfaqs .htm for morays eel care.>
Many thanks in advance if you can help
Kind Regards Paul
<Welcome. Marco.>

Dragon Moray Eel issues       1/16/15
Hello,
<Mark>
You all have helped once before a few years back, hoping for your help again. I have a dragon moray eel that is about two feet long. He is housed alone other than some turbo snails. I do water quality tests and water changes once a week. However over the holidays I got very sick and had a month where instead of doing four water changes only two got done. Nitrate levels did rise during this time.
<Ahh; to how high? Oh, see this below. WAY too high>
The eel has begun chewing his tail and has not eaten since Tuesday of last week. The tail looks very nasty and I am not sure he has stopped. I have begun doing water changes every day
<DO see WWM re other means of nitrate reduction. Do you need help using the  search tool, indices?>
and the nitrates have come down from 160 to 80 and hopefully still dropping. The heat also may have risen higher than I normally let it. I usually keep him at 78-80 and Any experience with this? Any suggestions?
<Yes; and the reading. Am sending this off to MarcoL here as well (our resident Muraenid resource). He may well suggest med. use... I'd for now be doing what you can to improve the environment. Including use of chemical filtrant/s>
Thanks,
Mark Mazzei
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Dragon Moray Eel issues /Marco       1/16/15
Hello,
<Mark>
You all have helped once before a few years back, hoping for your help again. I have a dragon moray eel that is about two feet long. He is housed alone other than some turbo snails. I do water quality tests and water changes once a week. However over the holidays I got very sick and had a month where instead of doing four water changes only two got done.
Nitrate levels did rise during this time.
<Ahh; to how high? Oh, see this below. WAY too high>
The eel has begun chewing his tail and has not eaten since Tuesday of last week. The tail looks very nasty and I am not sure he has stopped. I have begun doing water changes every day
<DO see WWM re other means of nitrate reduction. Do you need help using the search tool, indices?>
and the nitrates have come down from 160 to 80 and hopefully still dropping. The heat also may have risen higher than I normally let it.
I usually keep him at 78-80 and Any experience with this? Any suggestions?
<Yes; and the reading. Am sending this off to MarcoL here as well (our resident Muraenid resource). He may well suggest med. use... I'd for now be doing what you can to improve the environment. Including use of chemical filtrant/s>
Thanks,
Mark Mazzei
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
<<I agree with Bob. Improve the environment with daily water changes until you reach nitrate levels <20 mg/l. You can keep this species colder, since they mostly come from colder parts of the oceans. 76 F or 24°C is also okay. See http://www.wetwebmedia.com/HIDragonMorayArt.htm 
and the disease link on top for further information. Also check your filtration: two water changes less should not result in such high nitrates. If the infection you observe expands or does not heal by itself, try antibiotic baths with Neoplex (the antibiotic in this product is Neomycin) or Maracyn if you find some available. Good luck!
MarcoL >>
Re: Dragon Moray Eel issues Thanks for the quick response. I will keep working on the nitrates and keep
watching for more info.
Mark
<Ah; do please keep us/WWM informed. Cheers, BobF>
Re: Dragon Moray Eel issues       1/16/15
Thanks for your response. Here is an update. I am continuing daily water changes. Yesterday I added Seachem Denitrate yesterday and also a Deep Blue brand nitrate reducer pad and they do seem to have helped. Nitrates were down this morning to about 50 from 90 yesterday. I will continue in this vein unless you a have other suggestions.
>Nope; carry on<
His tail looks slightly improved - a bit less red but still not good.
Hopefully it means he has taken a break from chewing on it. Still is spending less time in his tunnels and maybe breathing a bit more labored.
Any input is welcomed. Thanks,
Mark Mazzei
<The reading Marco and I've suggested. BobF>
Re: Dragon Moray Eel issues. Not a reader      /RMF    1/21/15
Thanks so much for your input on the dragon eel thus far. I do have a wet/dry filter system on this tank and have gotten away with it up to now but reading your nitrate reducing articles....sounds like that needs to go.
I currently am still doing daily changes and have nitrates down to 40ish but that5 is as low as they seem to be going.
<.... read again on WWM re NO3... you were directed there last time>
They have been stable at that for the last 5 days.
His tail was looking less red but today I got a good a view and apparently he is back to chewing as it is red again.
What are your thoughts on antibiotics added to the water?
<... had you read>
Could they help?
Will they kill any good bacteria I have going on? Any particular antibiotic you would recommend? My local aquarium m shop, have recommended this.
<That you READ: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/FishInd1.htm
scroll down to Morays, disease, this species. We can't help you if you won't READ. BobF>
Thanks again for any advice,
Mark
Re: Dragon Moray Eel issues     /Marco      1/21/15
Thanks so much for your input on the dragon eel thus far. I do have a wet/dry filter system on this tank and have gotten away with it up to now but reading your nitrate reducing articles....sounds like that needs to go.
<Yes, use a strong skimmer to remove a lot of waste before it turns into nitrates. Also have strong circulation for gaseous exchange and high oxygen levels.>
I currently am still doing daily changes and have nitrates down to 40ish but, that is as low as they seem to be going.
<Still too high.>
They have been stable at that for the last 5 days.
<If you are still changing water and the nitrates remain the same: Check the nitrates of the water you use for the changes. If this has significantly lower nitrates it's obvious bound nitrates are leaching back into the tank water. Possibly from the substrate, pad and bound by Denitrate. Try changing the pad and carry on with the water changes.>
His tail was looking less red but today I got a good a view and apparently he is back to chewing as it is red again.
<I have never seen an eel chewing on its own tail. The wounds there are probably from flesh eating bacteria unless you have seen it biting its tail.>
What are your thoughts on antibiotics added to the water? Could they help?
<Very possible. See the recommended products in our former answers.>
Will they kill any good bacteria I have going on?
<Should not have significant impact, however using antibiotic as baths or in a hospital tank is more safe, but more trouble for the fish.
Any particular antibiotic you would recommend? My local aquarium shop, have recommended this.
Thanks again for any advice, Mark
<Good luck. Marco.>

Injured snowflake moray eel      12/22/14 Hello wwm crew! <Hey Wend> I am sending along two pictures, one from 11/3 the other from 12/12. These are of a chronic wound on a 2 foot long snowflake moray who was actually the winner of a dispute with a Huma Trigger. They were having an ongoing feud, which I tried to resolve with the addition of four more caves into their 150 gallon tank. I get rejected, nasty, mean fish from work and try to offer them a second chance at life instead of a trip to the dumpster. Sadly, before I could rehome the Trigger, the eel are him! But the trigger left his mark, in the form of two deep bites. These are down near the vent, on both sides of the body, and they refuse to heal. I don't have another tank that is large enough or secure enough to remove the eel. Is there anything you could suggest I try to facilitate healing? <Mmm; yes (the usual) lacing of foods with vitamins and HUFAs and such (commercial or DIY prep.s); and optimized, stable high quality water conditions. I would not advise much more... though IF you had occasion to be netting the specimen, perhaps a topical (mercury based likely, like Merthiolate) rinsed off outside the tank... might make my hit list> He is still eating, but not as much as normal, and he is often restless and agitated, I'm sure this must hurt a great deal. <Actually... I've encountered MUCH worse damage amongst Muraenids in the wild and captivity... Appeared not bothered much at all by... these are VERY tough fishes> They almost appear to be growing deeper into the tissue... frustrated and worried. Any suggestions welcome, I've had him for ten years, started out the size of a pencil! Wendy Amaral <The prep.s mentioned... SeaChem's Vitality, MicroVit, Selcon and such. Bob Fenner>

Injured snowflake moray eel /MarcoL     12/23/14 Hello wwm crew! <Hi.> I am sending along two pictures, one from 11/3 the other from 12/12. These are of a chronic wound on a 2 foot long snowflake moray who was actually the winner of a dispute with a Huma Trigger. They were having an ongoing feud, which I tried to resolve with the addition of four more caves into their 150 gallon tank. I get rejected, nasty, mean fish from work and try to offer them a second chance at life instead of a trip to the dumpster. Sadly, before I could rehome the Trigger, the eel ate him! But the trigger left his mark, in the form of two deep bites. These are down near the vent, on both sides of the body, and they refuse to heal. I don't have another tank that is large enough or secure enough to remove the eel. Is there anything you could suggest I try to facilitate healing? <As Bob already suggested, vitamin enriched food and the cleanest water possible.> He is still eating, but not as much as normal, and he is often restless and agitated, I'm sure this must hurt a great deal. They almost appear to be growing deeper into the tissue... frustrated and worried. <Yes, they seem somewhat infected and apparently they have not healed a lot in the last 7 weeks. If you can remove the eel, try antibiotic baths. Seachem Neoplex (Neomycin) is worth a try for such external infections or maybe you find a store that still carries Maracyn.> Any suggestions welcome, I've had him for ten years, started out the size of a pencil! <Good luck. Marco.>