Fish that can go with zebra eel   5/8/06
hi
<...>
    just wondering if I what I could keep with a zebra moray eel. I like dwarf lionfish, Niger Trigger, Foxface and queen angel I have a 60 gallon tank
<... a sixty isn't large enough for just the Gymnomuraena>
with an external filter 2028 Eheim and a internal filter Fluval 3 and a protein skimmer
<Keep reading. Bob Fenner>

Re: Little Piles of Sand - 10/22/06
Hi again.
<<Hello Olivia>>
Thanks for your help.
<<You're welcome>>
This is actually more my husbands tank, he does all the cleaning and such. I just get to watch.
<<Ah, I see>>
To answer your question about the tank size it's 135 gallon.
<<Oh good...was afraid this was the ubiquitous "55">>
We may be catching the eel and taking him back.
<<Might be best with that trigger in the system>>
Our purple Gramma just came up missing and we finally found him dead under a rock/cave either rotting or being munched on.  Could this have
been the eel's doing?
<<Not likely, Gymnomuraena zebra is a specialized crustacean feeder...any shrimp/crabs are definitely in jeopardy>>
They both liked the same location and kind of fought but without any biting.
<<Indeed...Gramma loreto is generally a peaceful fish, but can still be a tad pugnacious if it chooses.  I'm sure it didn't like the eel crowding its "stake" on the landscape but it is still unlikely the eel is the culprit here.  It's impossible for me to say with any certainty what caused the demise of the Gramma.  Could have been disease/old-age...or even the trigger or lionfish>>
The rest of the fish appear to be happy and healthy, eating well. I didn't want the eel but my husband has always wanted one.  He
is VERY small but we realize he will become much to big.
<<About 5-feet ultimately>>
Most of our fish are pretty small in size right now, none are bigger than 3in. (most are that size or smaller) except of course the eel.  Thanks again for your answer to the sand pile question, it was driving me and the kids nuts trying to figure out who was making those.  Since we never saw the fish doing it.
<<Ah yes...much more in the tank than fish.  Introduction of live rock brings in all kinds of beneficial worms and micro-crustaceans.  Try observing the rock/substrate closely with a flashlight after the main lights have been out a while.  You will likely discover all kinds of interesting critters crawling about
Take care!
Very appreciative-
Olivia Mendonca
<<Happy to share.  Eric Russell>>

Zebra Moray Eel question, comp.   10/2/06
Hi Mr. Fenner,
<Robert>
My name is Robert Warner. I have a salt water aquarium that I have had for about 8 years now. As I was doing a "tank change" today, I noticed that my moray eel (which I have had for around 6 years) is missing pieces at his tail end. I believe that it might be the other fish in the tank.
<Likely so>
However, I wanted to know if his tail had any chance of growing back, and if so how long would it be?
<Can re-grow... weeks to months>
And also if you think the fish will bother him after he is out of seclusion?
<Also likely>
As of now I have him in the tank secluded from the other fish by a partition so they cannot mess with him while he recuperates.
<Best to find out who is at fault and permanently separate>
I appreciate any advise and information you can give me. Thank you very much for taking time to answer my e-mail, it is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Robert Warner
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Aquascape... Mixing crab-eating morays, using a Jeweled Damsel from the TWA, Moray system/s, acclimating new livestock...   8/3/06
Morning,
<Now the afternoon here... Yikes, got to "kick out the jams"... whatever that means>
Just a quick question... or at least they always start out that way.  I'm looking at doing a 200gallon predator tank that will include both a snowflake and zebra moray eel, a Russel lionfish, and a couple of others.
From reading your FAQ's, it sounds like in that large of an aquarium the two morays should be ok together?  
<These two species, likely so>
I also just bought a jeweled damsel on the advice of on of your FAQ's... since this fish will eventually get to be around 6", a good fish to cycle my new 200gallon tank and should be ok with a lion and the morays?
<Mmm, likely okay to cycle, will get along>
My damsel is pretty brown looking with the diamonds on his back... does this sound like a jeweled damsel to you?
<Of mid-size/age... okay>
Anyhow, my question.... Ok, my third question?   With a fish only tank, I'm thinking a crushed coral bottom hiding a small network of 3"pvc piping to create a more interesting habitat for the morays.  The pipe will open up in a two or three caves that I will make.  Sound like a good idea?
<Shore>
I just hope that a) a fish won't get down there and gobbled by the eel
<Mmm, the two species listed are largely non-piscivorous... see WWM re Foods/Feeding/Nutrition of these two... I have penned, placed articles re...>
or  b) something big doesn't die down there.  Would be pretty nasty disassembling my aquascape to remove the pipes to get a dead eel out.  Your opinion?  
<Sounds pretty nasty>
The real question is (this is number 4, isn't it?) am I ok using a nice black/grey slate to build up the backside of my tank and for the caves?
<I wouldn't use slate in marine systems... too two-dimensional with all the drawbacks of same... too likely to have some chemically negative effect>
I was thinking of using aquarium poxy to get a nice firm rockwork and like the appearance of slate.  I was also going to use about 100lbs of liverock to get a mixture.  Do you foresee any problems with this?
<Yes>
Just a note on the 'freshwater dip' for new fish.  Sounds simple, but maybe it is me that is simple? Haha.
<?>
  After floating the sealed bag in the tank to get the temperature matching for about 20 min.s, I then open the bag and slowly introduce some tank water via a cup without mixing store water into my tank.  When fish is ready, am I correct in saying simply dip the net with the fish in it into some room temperature fresh water for a couple of seconds and introduce new fish from net into my tank?
<Mmm, one method... not one I'd use. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/acclimat.htm and the linked files above.>
Regards,
Dave Brynlund
<Keep reading. Bob Fenner>

Cephalopholis miniata & Gymnomuraena zebra. Big fish and tank size. 07/04/06
Can a 100cm long Gymnomuraena zebra coexist with a 40cm long Cephalopholis miniata?
<In a very large aquarium.>
If so, what capacity tank would be required?
<At a minimum, assuming there is no other livestock, somewhere in the terms of a 300 gallon tank with generous amounts of water flow, surface area and a VERY large protein skimmer...realistically I would prefer an even larger tank.>
Apart from prawns and crabs, is there another kind of food that can partially replace the Gymnomuraena zebra's diet?
<Any meat of a marine origin though I would avoid fish that are high up on the food chain as the main part of the diet.>
Also Crustaceans are expensive!
<Live ones yes...frozen, not so much.>
Is a zebra moray in general much less active than most other commonly kept morays e.g. Gymnothorax tiles?
<They tend to be more reclusive if that's what you mean.>
Some sites state that a large tank is needed, but exactly how large, and what dimensions must the tank be?
<To enjoy these animals and have them be comfortable into adult-hood I would like to see something with a lot of surface area...mmm maybe: 72"x48"x24"...that would be aprox 360 U.S. gallons, Adam J.>

Zebra Moray -  to Reef or Not to Reef that is the Question   6/27/06
Hi, my name is Ed and I have been very interested in saltwater aquariums for about 5 years, I am 19 and trying to put together my dream aquarium.
<How exciting!! Hi Ed, nice to make your acquaintance, Leslie here with you this evening.>
I am in the process and well on my way I have a 100 gallon acrylic tank reef ready with a very large 3’ sump and a red sea Berlin protein skimmer, and about 560 watts of light including 2 metal halide lights. Everything is coming along great and I am still cycling. I am writing because I have always wanted an eel and now that I have a large enough system to support one I need help. I have done a lot of research <very commendable> and like you the Zebra Moray is my favorite.
<They are one of my favorites as well>
I would really really love to keep one of the beautiful specimens, and am seeking your advice. I am planning on doing a reef tank I am trying to balance the coral and fish. I have spoken with many people that claim the Zebra Moray to be “reef safe” and have even have a lot of success keeping cleaner shrimp with their eels. What is your take on this?
<Well it depends. Most of the literature reports these guys will eat ornamental crustaceans. IME are fish have typical behaviors that can be attributed to most in the species but they individuals as well, with individual differences, which would explain why your contacts have reported success keeping ornamental shrimp with their Zebra Morays, when the literature reports the opposite. When I was new to keeping Puffers a very seasoned Puffer keeping friend saw a photo of my tank. A medium sized crab was visible in the photo.  I was very strongly advised to remove the crab, that it would never survive the Puffer. Well that crab is still alive, years later. He has been in the company of several Puffers and has never had any harm come to him.>
I am not concerned with it eating fish as there will be not much else in the system but I want to know if you think I will be able to maintain a reef system with this eel? If not are there any other eels you recommend or is no way to maintain a reef system with an eel?
<I personally have not kept an eel in a reef, but have read quite a bit. You will find varying opinions on this even from the “experts” in the field. One of my favorite articles on these eels reports they can indeed be kept in a reef system if care is taken to build sturdy rock structures, as they are big muscular eels. It sounds like you have already read Bob’s article, if not, you can find it here… http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebramor.htm
In addition I would recommend you have a look at Frank Marini’s article A Serpent For Your Reef Tank:
 A Look at Fish-Safe Eels http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-12/fm/index.php
I found it very helpful before I purchased my first Zebra Moray aka Stretch, who I still have.>
Thank you for you time and knowledge.
<Your most welcome and best of luck with your newest project, Leslie>

Zebra Moray -  to Reef or Not to Reef that is the Question #2   6/28/06
Do you think that a zebra moray will go after some of the more useful inverts like hermit crabs or snails? Some inverts IMO are necessary for maintaining a strong reef. Will the eel be a problem or do you think it is possible?
<Well, here are a couple of quotes from Frank Marini’s article “A Serpent For Your Reef Tank: A Look at Fish-Safe Eels”
“The primary foods of zebra morays are crabs, shrimp, and occasionally snails and urchins. Zebra morays employ a unique hunting style for finding food: they intentionally bump the prey item to first see if it moves, and second to taste the prey item, to determine its food worthiness. Small prey items are usually swallowed whole, while larger food items like crabs, are held down by their body coils as the claws and legs are broken off and eaten. A zebra moray's jaws will easily crack crab claws, and in the home aquarium, one can hear the equivalent of a nutcracker sounding off when a crab claw is cracked. They will eventually eat all of the ornamental crustaceans in their tank.” My Zebra Eel has never touched anything live, including the live crabs I tried to tempt him with when he went on his hunger strike just after I brought him home from the LFS or the medium sized crab he has been living with for over 2 years. He was however a resident of the LFS for over a year before he came to live with me. He was already well established on frozen seafood from a feeding stick and very well fed, so perhaps had no reason to go after live food anymore. I guess you need to decide if you are willing to possibly risk losing some if not all of your clean up crew. >
Thanks <Hope this helps, Leslie>

Trigger Compatibility...Morays and Fishes - 06/05/06
Bob,
<<EricR here today>>
Tremendous site.  Thank you for the service you provide the fish-keeping hobby.
<<Bob, all of us, are pleased you feel this way>>
I am blessed to have three large saltwater aquariums.
<<Indeed!>>
One is a 125g in which I currently have a Niger trigger and a Humu Humu trigger, both about 3-4".  Also in the tank are 5 yellow-tail damsels.
<<I see>>
What say you to adding a baby clown to the mix (after evacuating the 5 damsels) and then keeping those three triggers--and nothing else--in the 125g from here on out?  (I also have plenty of live rock and a large cave in the tank.)
<<I think if you do this you will eventually have only the Clown trigger.  Balistoides conspicillum is a brute of a fish, even where triggers are concerned.  Juveniles can often be mixed with other fish (I even saw one in a reef tank...though I strongly recommend against this), but as the fish matures its tolerance for tankmates becomes less and less.  Clown triggers are known for killing "everyone" in the tank without warning>>
Another tank is a monster 240g.  Right now there are just three damsel fish in it to cycle the system.
<<Ugh...don't care for this method...not necessary in my opinion>>
I'd like to put a Zebra moray eel in there as I understand they will not try to eat other fish but instead prefer to be fed shrimp, crab et al.
<<Yes>>
If I do put the Zebra moray eel in there...can I add large schools of peaceful fish--like chromis and pajama cardinals--without being overly concerned about the little guys becoming lunch for the Zebra moray?
<<Might be possible, though I'd want to keep the moray well fed just the same>>
Also, in a 240g...are there larger peaceful fish that can be kept in schools?
<<Hmmm..."large" and "schools" isn't usually synonymous with "home aquarium" <grin> >>
If so, which fish (and in what number?) would you recommend?
<<One of the larger Anthias species might be what you're looking for.  My vote goes to Pseudanthias squamipinnis, the Lyretail Anthias.  These are durable and handsome fish that can grow to about 5" in the home aquarium.  A harem of a male and 4 females would be possible in your tank...more if you decide to exclude some of the other fish>>
All the best from the desert Southwest,
Adam
<<And to you in kind from the steamy Southeast.  EricR>>

Zebra eels
Hello Mr. Fenner my name is Joe Reza (aquarist/zoo keeper) and I have a couple of questions concerning a setup that we would like to do at my work place (El Paso Zoo).  We have 2 tanks that are approximately 400 gallons each, in our California sea lion exhibit.
<Man, those Zalophus get around! Keep them!>
We have decided to stick with a Baja theme for these 2 aquariums.  We would like to put zebra eels in one tank, which is more of a rectangular shape, but I'm not sure how many we can keep in this tank.
<Mmm, not really social animals, but can be placed together just the same... don't really have "teeth" on the principal jaws as many piscivorous muraenids as am sure you know>
I know that hiding spaces are to be taken into account, we ordered some artificial corals from living color and they provided us with some pieces that have built in caves.  The main piece looks like it has enough room for 2 or 3 eels ,but I don't know if they would get along and if they would share the same cave.  
<Should get along. Might well co-habit>
I also wanted to know if the zebra eel could be trusted with fish like longnose butterfly or longnose Hawkfish,
<Yes... Gymnomuraena is almost entirely a consumer of crustaceans... very rarely live fish flesh.>
I have read that they are docile and usually don't prey on fish.  The other tank is a bowfront and we have decided   it would be a fish only exhibit for now.  There is only one problem, our local fish store is the only approved vendor at this time and we had asked him to provide us with a list of fish from the Baja region that he can obtain.  He came up with a fish list of about 10 different species, that include( passer angel, longnose Hawkfish, longnose butterfly, zebra eel, coral Hawkfish, rainbow wrasse, Mexican hogfish, black-eyed goby) and we have to stock these 2 tanks with these fish.  I would really appreciate any suggestions or ideas that you can provide.
<Mmm, have this supplier contact me... I will in turn help them with their suppliers... there are a few more species collected/available seasonally/periodically>
  We have no choice, but to go with these types of fish, since these tanks have to be stocked pretty soon. I would also like to say that I really enjoy your articles in TFH and I'm looking forward to meeting you at the IMAC conference in Chicago, Il.  Thank you so much for your time .
<Ahh! Look forward to it... am "cheating" right at this moment, working on responding, posting while at the WMC conference in Sacto, during Sanjay Joshi's pitch on light/ing. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Gymnomuraena in a group - 4/24/2006
Hi Bob,
<Steve>
Zebra eels make good pets? How about 2-3 together in a large tank?
<Mmm, though not often (okay only once in a proverbial blue moon), do you find Gymnomuraena so clustered, it can be done with evident impunity in captivity>
Tang question. Can large Naso tangs cohabitate in a 300 gal plus tank (say 4
to 5 specimens)?
<Mmm, for a time... while small... not really a social species as many other species of acanthurids>
What about a large school of yellow tangs, or will they be
too aggressive w/ each other?  
<The larger the tank, the more likely a grouping will "get along"... but has to be very large indeed for such a long term association to work out. A 300 would likely work here for this number of flavescens. Bob Fenner>
Thanks, Steve

Zebra Moray Fish Compatibility
Will zebra morays <Moray.> eat a maroon clown or a mandarin goby?
<The Zebra Moray  is probably one of the best choices if you are going to keep an eel with other fish as it its primarily a crustacean consumer. However…this does not mean it would not pass up a chance at an easy target, such as a juvenile clown (which aren’t the best swimmers) or a mandarin. I would skip the mandarin, as far as the maroon if it is a large female, should be more than fine. Adam J.> Re

Moray + Starfish = OK?
Hi, I have a 24" Zebra Moray. He eats everything that I feed him (squid, shell on prawns, and krill occasionally - all w/VitaChem). Anyways, I was wondering if I added a Chocolate Chip starfish (my tank is FOWLR), would he eat it? Thanks!
<Should be fine together... Do read re CCS predilection for dying easily though (on WWM). Bob Fenner> 

Wandering Bubble tip Anemone 11/16/05
I have a bubble anemone in my 55 gallon tank. They are settled on a 10 pound piece of live rock at the top (should they be in sand?) 
<No. BTA's are reef dwelling. They should be in/on rock.>
Days after I got it, it split in 2 and both were hosted by my 2 perculas I have 1 18000k light and 2 blue actinic lights in the tank. 
<Splitting is often stress induced, so it is no surprise that it occurred when the anemone was moved.>
One anemone became twice as large as it was originally but the other is constantly moving, has only a few tentacles sometimes, and is usually closed. The anemone is always in weird shapes and doesn't look that good. What's happening to it? 
<It is common for the "daughter" anemone to move about after a split. It also sounds like yours may have split very unevenly, possibly due to injury. As long as the anemone is safe from pump/powerhead inlets, I would let it wander (not much you can do anyway). If it settles soon, it will probably be OK, if it doesn't it may not make it, but it sounds like you parent will be OK. Best Regards. AdamC.> 
In most of the FAQ pages I read on Caulerpa, the problem seemed to be on how to get rid of this stuff rather than my problem. I know some of you (Anthony) prefer Chaetomorpha rather than Caulerpa, so I thought maybe I should try that instead. Does the Chaetomorpha have the same nutrient utilization capabilities as the Caulerpa? 
<Chaetomorpha does not grow quite as fast as some Caulerpa, so it does not take up nutrients quite as fast, however it does seem less sensitive and far less prone to "crash" and re-release nutrients into the tank. Also, for reef keepers, it is far less noxious to corals than Caulerpa.>
Second question, which is unrelated: I have an approximately 30" Zebra moray that is very healthy and active, coming out of the rocks on occasion to take a look around. What I have noticed though, is that my 4" Bicolor dwarf angel will take bites or nip at the body of the eel any time he comes near him. The eel will jerk anytime this happens and it doesn't appear to be doing any damage to the skin, but I am afraid that it will discourage the eel from coming out and/or stress him. At this point it is only occasional but thought I would check with you guys to see if this is anything I should be worried about. Again thanks for your dedication and help. Steven R. Vejil 
<This interaction could go on forever without any serious problem, but there is a fair risk that the eel will either eat the angel or the angel will begin to cause injury or intimidate the eel from coming out to eat. I would suggest separating them, especially if the interaction gets any worse. Best Regards, AdamC.>