Zebra Eel help please – 07/11/09
My name is Terry and I live in Deland FL, I think your web site is one of the best around!!!
<Hi Terry, and thank you for your kind words.>
I have a 2ft zebra eel in a 100gal with a refugium, Coralife uv and a super skimmer with two 1200 wave makers and two 1300 wave makers. 0 ammonia,0 nitrite, ph 8.2,nitrate 10-20 and 1.025 salt. I have a 3.5 inch clown trigger and a 3 inch undulated trigger fish with it. I have tons of rocks and caves (80-100 pd.s). They all seem to be getting a long. I have had the eel for about a year with no problems. I feed him/her a couple of shrimp every other day or every other two days depending when it lets me know when its hungry.
<Nothing else?>
I noticed that he/she hasn't been as active in the past couple weeks and he/she seems to be eating less. Before he started acting less active, I feed him/her and the next morning I went to look at my tank, as I always do and I noticed he/she purged all the food up, first time in a yr I every seen him/her do that. Since then he when he/her started acting strange. This morning I notice one of his/her nostril looks swollen and red.
<So it’s not just having eaten too much.>
What should I do? He has been a great eel and I do not want to lose him. Thank you for any suggestion you can offer. Terry
<A shrimp only diet is not sufficient for a Zebra moray, which can and do eat a variety of crustaceans (and mollusks and echinoderms, rarely fish) in nature without possibly suffering from the vitamin losses by freezing and thawing frozen foods. Therefore, I’d try to extend the diet with scallops, crabs, crayfish, mussels and such and add vitamins intended for fish to every meal (to push its immune system) until the situation improves (later at least once a week). If it becomes much worse you may have to consider a treatment with an antibiotic in a separate tank. I do wish you good luck. Marco.>

Re: Zebra Eel help please II, hlth. and now comp. – 07/11/09
Thank you for your advice!!! When I came home last night from the pet store (buying other foods and vitamin drops) he was laying backwards on a rock, I think the current was help keeping him up. A few hrs later he was on my sand bed upside down barely breathing. He died an hr or so later.
<Sorry to hear... So, there might really be an infection that was already in its final stage.>
I read some post on your page that talks about old age and a eel of that size may have some yrs on him.
<Hmm, yes, but red nostrils are not a typical sign of old age per se. The immune system becomes weaker with old age, but also with a uniform diet.>
I received him about a yr ago from a LFS and they said they had him a few yrs. He was about 3ft long and as big around as a base ball. If I may ask, I'm considering buying another eel, what is a good size to start with?
<I assume you mean a zebra moray. Depends on other tank inhabitants. With two 3.5 inch triggers I’d look for at least 1.5 feet.>
What should I look for when shipping for one?
<The usual things: Only buy from reputable sources with good references, keep the shipping as short as possible, see if heat packs are necessary and available. Also see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/acclimat.htm >
Do you think if I added another one my triggerfish would bother it since I'm adding it after they were added, my undulated use to share the same cave as my other eel?
<That’s possible. Triggers and eels is sometimes hit and miss. You can also try to remove the triggers for a few days while adding the eel.>
Do eels have a certain tank flow they prefer, since I have a lot of flow?
<That’s fine. They do not need a lot of flow, but a lot of oxygen, and the higher the flow, the better the gaseous exchange and the higher the oxygen.>
Thank you for taken the time to read my e-mails and any advice would be highly appreciated and followed to a "T". Thank you. Terry
<Welcome and good luck. Marco.>
Re: Zebra Eel help please
Thank you for all your help!!!
<Welcome!>

Eel cauliflower on nostrils – 06/29/09 Guys, <Vini.> I saw a question about this type of problem on your site. The response was ok <Thanks.> I guess if that is how these growths occur. My eel is 36" plus in length and his color is great and his eyes are sharp. These growths started on one nostril and then appeared on the other. The water quality is as close to perfect as you can get. <That’s good.> The eel is the only inhabitant in the tank. He is not eating as well as he did before these growths appeared. I don't know if fish feel pain like humans but if I had these things on my nose eating would not be easy for me either. <I agree. Especially bad for an animal that uses its smell as a most important sense.> Anyway it does not seem possible that this is simply from banging around. Please see what you can find out. Thanks Vini D. <Likely the same as the post you found: EV2 (Eel virus 2), which is a Orthomyoxovirus. Keep oxygen as high as possible by skimming and intense surface current. Also, as long as it still feeds soak the hopefully varied diet in vitamins for fish. If this does not stop or reverse the growth, you should consider a treatment with inorganic di-phosphates. In this case you probably need the assistance of a veterinarian to properly fight this virus. Don’t exchange equipment with other tanks! Good luck. Marco.>

Zebra eel; dis – 06/04/09
Hello,
<Hi John.>
I have a 2 foot or so Zebra Eel in my 180 reef that does not appear to be doing so well. I have had him for 2 or 3 years and recently he has been losing his sharp black coloring. His color is fading and getting some brown or dirty white spots on him.
<Would like to see a picture if possible.>
His appetite is good, I feed him Shrimp mostly but on occasion I will pick him up some lobster or squid when I am at the fish market. I do not feed him as much as others I read of online, he is generally fed weekly but from time to time its every other week....I am not sure if this is part of the problem, but its been this way for years so I sort of doubt it.
<The frequency is fine, but you should add vitamins sometimes when feeding shrimp mostly to avoid deficiency syndromes.>
He was a rescue animal from a smaller tank years back, so I am uncertain of his age. We are sort of convinced he is showing signs of old age. But I thought I would check with the experts to see if there is anything I should/could be doing for him. He has been in this condition for about 2 months now, the only other noticeable change is that he flips his head backwards and rest upside down and he is more active during the day than in years past. The rest of the tank is healthy, water is impeccable as always – tank has been up for 13 or so years.
Thanks for the assistance. Regards, John
<A picture would be very helpful in order to (hopefully) give you better advice. Fish vitamins certainly won’t hurt here. Cheers, Marco.>

Gasping Zebra moray; lack of info – 01/20/09
Hi, Can you please help me I have a 350 liter
<That is about 85 gallons.>
tank that has two zebra morays in it and nothing else, the problem is one is not eating and he lays on his side on the bottom of the tank and the breathing is faster then normal.
<Does not sound good.>
I have now put him in a 2 foot tank with some Melafix
<Useless, a waste of money in this case.>
and it doesn't seem to help
<…>
do you have an idea of what I can do or a name of something I can treat him with.
<First things first. As long as we have no idea what it could suffer from, we can hardly react adequately.>
Levels in tank are all fine
<Useless statement. Need numbers: ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, SG, temperature and pH at least. What are the tank mates, what changes have been made lately, how long are the two eels in this tank, what are they fed... need more information.>
Now did have a problem with ammonia due to a prawn rotting on a hole in the tank. Thanks
<Uneaten food has to be removed before it rots. Sounds the system was not well cycled. One shrimp should not show any ammonia at all, only a minor increase of nitrates, perhaps. The eel may suffer from an ammonia burn of the gills, possibly a secondary bacterial infection. Check the water parameters in the hospital tank at least daily, preferably twice a day: ammonia and nitrites need to be 0, nitrates<25 ppm, pH between 8.0 and 8.4. Do water changes if this is not the case. Provide sufficient aeration of the hospital tank with a skimmer and/or surface agitation with a power head. If it is becoming worse consider using an antibiotic. Good luck. Marco.>

Sick Zebra eel, James' go     12/11/07
Hi Bob,
James with you today, Jack.>
Owner: Jack I’m 12 years old.
<Mmm, a young aquarist, good for you!>
Tank: Corner 110 litres, Crushed coral base, 3 hand size & 3 golf ball size live rocks. One hollow ship wreck. Built in filter, Heater, Power head set up to pump in air as well.
Occupants: 35cm Zebra Eel, 18cm Snow Flake eel, Blue Damsel fish.
General: Zebra Eel. I have owned the eel and tank for about 6 months. The eels have both been eating fine every second day (Cooked and uncooked prawns, Pipis ) Tried calamari, squid and mussels. They both swam around during the day and night, They hand feed and loved to be petted.
<Not a good idea to hand feed eels, they have a nasty bacteria infested bite which can lead to a bacterial infection on the wounded area. Do discontinue this practice.>
Their breathing was fine and they are very calm and seem relaxed in their environment. I did water change of 5-10 litres every week to ten days. I tested the water every week and adjusted when needed. We did adjust the pH with Marine buffer (Seachem brand) I did once put the buffer in the tank directly without mixing it in water from the tank in a cup first and then pouring it in.
Problem: Last Tuesday I noticed the Zebra Eel's head was laying on bottom of tank and seemed to struggle to breath and hold his head up. He was not swimming around and stopped eating for about week. His eye was a bit smoky gray. His stripes were fine, skin was slimy. On Tuesday afternoon we transferred the eel to the aquarium that we bought him from. In capturing the eel this made him swim around and seemed to pick him in itself.
<?>
When we arrived at the aquarium and they transferred it to their tank it seemed a lot better, they said they will keep it for observation. They increased the salt in tank and the next day it ate and seemed on a recovery. When i\I called the next day they said it seemed to relapse back to its old ways. The next day they said it was about the same but had a white spots on its face appearing and in its mouth. From this position he did not recover and this afternoon the eel passed away. The aquarium said they are not sure why it passed away but I would love to know why so I can take better care of my other eel and I would like to one day get another Zebra Eel.
General: The Snow Flake Eel and the damsel are fine. I did check the water when all this was occurring and it was perfect and the aquarium checked the water as well the day we took the eel there and they said it was fine. We have been told that eels are hardy pet is this true.
<Yes, they are hardy if conditions are favorable for them. A 28 gallon tank is much too small for this fish. They can grow to about two feet and really need to be in a 50 gallon or larger aquarium. I'm guessing what happened to eel was caused by environmental stress. They are huge waste producers for their size and I believe this led to his demise. In reading your email, I'm guessing you have a 28 gallon all in one nano tank. The filtration system on these systems isn't really suited to keeping eels or any large fish.>
Thanks for reading my email but I would appreciate your feedback.
<You're welcome Jack, and please read here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebramor.htm
James (Salty Dog)>
Jack

Sick zebra moray eel... too small, too little filtered, mis-buffered... reading, Bob's go     12/11/07
Hi crew,
Owner: Jack I'm 12 years old.
<Howdy: Bob, I'm 55>
Tank: Corner 110 litres, Crushed coral base, 3 hand size & 3 golf ball size live rocks. 1 hollow ship wreck. Built in filter, Heater, Power head set up to pump in air as well.
Occupants: 35cm zebra eel, 18cm snow flake eel, Blue damsel fish.
<Mmm... I wish I knew the make-up of your built-in filter... Moray eels do produce a good deal of waste... And this tank volume is much too small for these two>
General: Zebra eel. I have owned the eel and tank for about 6mths. The eels have both been eating fine every second day (Cooked and uncooked prawns, Pipis ) Tried calamari, squid and mussels. They both swam around during the day and night, They hand fed and loved to be patted. Their breathing was fine and they are very calm and seem relaxed in their environment. I did water change of 5-10 litres every week to ten days. I tested the water every week and adjusted when needed. We did adjust the ph with Marine buffer (Seachem brand) I did once put the buffer in the tank directly without mixing it in water from the tank in a cup 1st and then pouring it in.
<I see... and you've hopefully learned better>
Problem: Last Tuesday I noticed the Zebra eels head was laying on bottom of tank and seemed to strangle to breath and hold his head up. He was not swimming around and stopped eating for about week. His eye was a bit smoky gray. His strips were fine, skin was slimy. On the Tuesday afternoon we transferred the eel to the aquarium that we bought him from. In capturing the eel this made him swim around and seemed to pick him in itself. When we arrived at the aquarium and they transferred it to their tank it seemed a lot better, they said they will keep it for observation. They Increased the salt in tank and the next day it eat and seemed on a recovery. When I called the next day they said it seemed to relapse back to its old ways. The next day they said it was about the same but had a white spots on its face appearing and in its mouth. From this position this he did not recover and this afternoon the eel passed away. The aquarium said they are not sure why it passed away but I would love to know why so I can take better care of my other eel and I would like to one day get another Zebra eel.
<Mmm...>
General: The Snow flake eel and the damsel are fine. I did check the water when all this was occurring and it was perfect and the aquarium checked the water as well the day we took the eel there and they said it was fine. We have been told that eels are hardy pet is this true.
<Most species, specimens if placed in appropriate settings are, yes...>
Thanks for reading my email but I would appreciate your feedback.
Jack
<Your Zebra/Gymnomuraena likely succumbed to the buffer being poured directly into the tank, along with general stress... This system is too small... Please read re these two species needs here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/index.htm
the third tray down. Bob Fenner>

Injured zebra moray eel – 10/25/2007
Hi Crew,
<Hello Darren.>
Hope you are well!
<Yes, thanks.>
I have 3 zebra moray eels between 18 inches and 2 feet, they currently are in my spare 70 gallon tank till my main 150 gallon show tank is emptied of its inhabitants this weekend. I have had the eels for 4 weeks and they have been feeding well and seem to do well, although things do get interesting at feeding time. Their current tank contains about 3kg of live rock and 2x 18 inch long rubber tubes for them to hide in, there is no substrate in this tank, I am carrying out 10% water changes to maintain water parameters.
<10% per week, month, year? See if the nitrates exceed 30 ppm and act accordingly. Since you plan to move them at the weekend larger water changes would be adequate, if high nitrates occur.>
I have just gone out to feed them and found that one of them has a huge wound about half way down his body, it looks like a cut about 25mm x 10mm and looks white and fleshy, I have searched the tank for sharp objects but I can not find what has caused his wound.
<Search on… must be caused by something. Could it be power head accident?>
He's still eats well but it looks awful and I am worried one how it happened and two if it well heal.
<It probably will>
He does not seem to concerned with it and is still pretty energetic.
Can you please advise if you feel this injury is terminal?
<Hopefully not.>
Should I hold off moving him to the larger tank this weekend?
<I would not move him now, but remove the cause of the wound.>
Should I treat him with any medicine?
<Watch if any white or red and spreading patches occur on and around the wound. These would be signs of a bacterial infection. Use medication (an antibiotic) only in that case. You could use the 70 gallon tank as a hospital tank, therefore I would not move the eel, yet.>
Would he be best off without the other 2 eels as company?
<Until it heals: yes.>
Any help would be greatly appreciated
<Monitor the wound and feed a vitamin enriched diet. Search for the cause of the injury and remove it. Keep the water quality as high as possible and don’t stress the animal too much. Chances are good for your moray eel, but the healing may take weeks to months. See http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebramdisfaqs.htm and the linked files above for further information.>
Many thanks in advance. Kind Regards, Darren.
<You are welcome. I hope your eel gets well again. Have to feed some of mine now… Cheers, Marco.>

Re: Help Please Injured Zebra Moray
Zebra moray eel with blisters – 10/30/2007
Thanks for your last response it’s great to get guidance and reassurance.
<You are welcome.>
I have now moved the other 2 morays in to the main show tank with as little stress to the 3rd as possible.
<Very good.>
I have now been able to view injury closer up, as I'm sure you can appreciate it was quite confusing with 3 black and white stripy eels.
<I can imagine.>
The injury is now showing very slight signs of red round the edges and I have also noticed his skin has blistered slightly on the opposite side of his body, the blisters have a red tinge to them and cover a similar size to the open wound but the skin is not broken. This confuses me more on how this injury has occurred!
<Very good you observed that. These blisters may well be encysted worms under the skin (or other encysted parasites). I have seen such on morays and many other fish. Some day they did open leaving a white fleshy wound with reddish edges. It took them very long to heal (months), but no medications needed to be applied. Such parasites can be treated with Metronidazole, Flagyl and an anthelminthic like Praziquantel. See WWM re searching for "bumps" and "encysted".>
As it would now appear that infection/bacteria is present can you suggest a possible brand/type of medicine, it's not so easy in the UK to pick up such treatments, someone suggested iodine not sure if this would be any good.
<Does not sound like a (severe) bacterial infection to me, I’d continue to watch the eel and monitor the wound and also the eyes. If the eyes get cloudy or the red is spreading around the wound, I’d get an antibiotic from the vet, since as far as I know, they are not sold freely in the UK. For the treatment of the cysts see above, I do not think iodine would work here.>
As always any help would be much appreciated.
<Hope the eel gets well again. Marco.>
Kind Regards, Darren

Sick zebra moray eel – 10/06/07
Hi,
<Hello>
Just wanted to get some advice on my zebra eel which seems to be behaving strangely…..Today it has been lying at the front of the tank on a rock and looks to be gasping for air. Normally eats frozen/fresh prawn and has been feeding well.
<Vitamin addition are not a bad idea.>
The eel is about 2.5 ft and shares the tank with 3 pairs of clown fish, a blue tang and a Marine betta. All water tests seemed fine, other fish are ok (Nitrite= 0, PH = 8.3, salinity =1.022). The tank size is 5ft X 2.5ft x 4ft. I have tried increasing circulation and aeration to no avail. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Nicolas
<Heavy breathing can have different reasons aside a lack of oxygen or nitrite poisoning. Any recent additions to the tank? An Amyloodinium or Cryptocaryon infection of just the gills (and not the skin) can result in heavy breathing. Second idea: How high are the nitrates? If above 30 ppm for a longer time they can harm the immune system of the moray and allow secondary bacterial infection to infect the gills (in this case you’d have to treat with antibiotics in a separate tank or as baths). Idea three: Are there any metal parts in your tank or do you use water from copper pipes to mix your salt water? Another possibility is a tumor (which in fact can be related to a bacterial infection, too). I have seen morays dying, because of large tumors on their gills, they can only be treated by a surgery. Hope these suggestion help you to diagnose and take action accordingly. I’d try a large (>50%) water change anyway and filter with fresh carbon. Good luck and I hope your eel gets well again. Marco.>

Zebra Moray Injury Question    1/17/06
Hi,
<Hello there>
I had a question about my zebra moray eel (young, 10").
<Wow, tiny>
  I just introduced him about a week ago.  He is not yet eating but was showing some interest and otherwise behaving what I would consider normally.
<Oh?>
When I got up this morning he had a 1/4" diameter circular wound (It looks like a conical "chuck" is missing) behind his left eye.
<Mmm, likely either a trauma/run-in with decor, or a bite/tankmate>
  Also on the right in front of his gil pouch there is a similar white fleshy looking 1/4" vertical wound (no skin/flesh missing).  Also his head has swollen to twice its size.
<!!!>
  He also seems to be mostly swimming backwards.
<Very bad>
None of this was apparent the previous night.
Tank conditions are as follows:
70 gallon FOWLR (100+ lbs multiple caves)
protein skimmer, UV sterilizer, power heads
Ammonia: zero
Nitrite: zero
Nitrate: 30
PH 8.3
Salinity 1.020
<... way too low... should be close to NSW... 1.025>
Tankmates:
(1) Hep. Tang
(1) Coral Beauty Angle
(1) Half Black Angle
(2)  False Percs
(9) Green Chromis
(2) Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
(bunch) Zebra hermit crabs
<Mmm... Gymnomuraena eat crustaceans...>
The only interaction between the Zebra Moray and the tank mates is the cleaner shrimp want to clean him which does seem to cause him some Greif.
I have no idea what has happened.  Did I inadvertently introduce something that is incompatible (besides that the eel may have tried to eat the shrimp or crabs)?
<Oh, I see you're aware...>
Any advise would be appreciated.  I have a 55 and a 30 gallon tank I could use as a hospital if removal would help him).  I am going to continue combing the site when I get home from work.
Thanks
-Matt
<Raise your spg... about a thousandth per day (0.001)... provide ghost shrimp (unless you have other live crustaceans available)... and hope... I would not move this Eel... trouble is likely environmental in origin... a bump in the night along with too low spg effects. Bob Fenner>

Sick Zebra Moray
I have a 24inch zebra moray I have had for four years.  He has been ill for the past 4-5 months.  He is in a 55 gal tank (too small I know) by himself.
<Yes>
  He is losing his stripes and his white underskin is showing through on 50% of his body and he is not as active as he was before.  He eats once per week (shrimp, crab, clam, scallops.)  6 months ago he had this same disease and I temporarily cured it with Nitrofurazone (no immediate response) then Tetracycline hydrochloride (worked).  He fell ill to the same disease 2 months later.  (I have no hospital tank and treatments were done in his only tank.)
<Not wise... immuno-deficiency syndromes easy to induce>
The disease came back and he did not respond to the same treatment twice.
<Bingo>
I then tried erythromycin and he did not respond.  Filtration is Eheim ECCO and pro clear aquatic wet/dry filter, CoralLife turbo twist 9 watt UV sterilizer.  Temp 78degrees, nitrite 0, nitrate 20, ph 8.4, ammonia 0, salinity 1.023.  Water changes 20% every 2 weeks.  Please help I love this guy and want him to get better!  Thank you very much. Sincerely, Ethan.
<... What to say? The root cause, cure for this situation is environmental. This Gymnomuraena needs more space, new live rock, places to move, hide in, explore... This life is in your hands, care. What do you want to do? Bob Fenner>

Zebra moray ... dis., sys.   3/10/06
I noticed my 2' long zebra moray has some sort of pink looking polyps growing on or near his nostrils.  Any idea?
<Mmm, likely from rubbing... the nares... or running into the sides>
He is in a 75 gallon tank with a skimmer and Rena filter, I do  five gallon water changes weekly and every time I check the chemical levels they all come out great.  My other fish are all doing great, too.  This guy was inherited so I don't know too much about him, although he has been eating really well for the 2 months or so that I have had him.  His diet consists of shrimp.  I have tried squid, scallops, etc. he prefers the shrimp.  Thanks, if I need to send some more info. I will.
Rob
<Will/does need larger quarters. Bob Fenner>

Sick Zebra Moray Eel
My firm has had a Zebra Moray Eel now for several months and a couple of weeks ago I noticed some white blotches (which looked somewhat like scars) on his skin. He had been eating his shrimp well previous to this discovery (3 X a week - which I realize is probably too many times from reading the other entries), but all of a sudden he has decided that he is not interested in his food anymore, and has not eaten much, if at all, over the past couple of weeks. Also breathing seems somewhat labored and every now and then his whole body seems to jump or act like it is convulsing (kind-of like a human having the hiccups). 
I know we have a service company that comes out 2 times a month and cleans the tank, changes the water, checks the chemical balance of the water, etc., so I don't think that would be what's causing his issues, but please tell me if I am wrong in this assumption. 
The Zebra Moray Eel is in the tank with several other fish, but they don't seem to be having any problems since I noticed the spots on the Eel. 
Do you think there is any reason to be concerned? We would appreciate any suggestions or treatments you could give us! Thanks! 
<Tracy, being that this tank is serviced by an aquarium servicing company, I'm thinking they selected the fish to put into it, correct? If so, I would have them come out and take a look/see. It would be hard to make an accurate diagnosis with seeing the fish. Has anyone been cleaning the glass with an ammonia based cleaner? I'm also curious as to the tank size. James (Salty Dog)> 

Sick Zebra Moray Eel - II
As it turns out, we actually pick out the fish in the tank. The aquarium company just tells us what we can and cannot put in there. Besides the eel, we have the following fish (plus a couple of others that I cannot identify):
Square spot Anthias, Speckled Grouper, Royal Dottyback, Longnose Hawkfish, Threadfin Cardinalfish, Ocellaris Anemone fish (Clown Fish); Yellowtail Blue Damselfish, Moon Wrasse, and Purple Tang. I have been told the tank is 180 gallons. Hope this helps! 
<Tracy, don't know what kind of filtering system is employed but none the less this tank is exceeding its capacity. The eel, grouper and tang all get quite large. My rule of thumb is one cubic inch (not length) of fish per five gallons of water. When tanks become overcrowded, the chance for disease is heightened. I would ask the aquarium maintenance company if they can remove the eel and treat it at their place for resale. You really need to reduce the fish load. James (Salty Dog)> 

Unwell Zebra Moray
Hi, I have a 2.5ft Zebra Moray eel in a fish only tank, I have had him now for about 8 weeks He lives with a 3 inch porcupine puffer and a Picasso trigger of about 4 inches. When first purchased the eel was eating between 3 and 5 mussels every 2-3 days.
Since buying the Puffer feeding and trigger he seems to be less interesting in food and does not readily (it is also harder to feed him with as the others are always hungry)  come out of his cave for it, but never the less he is still feeding, about 2 mussels every 10 days. The water checks are all perfect and the water is being aerated with a 10-15% water change weekly.
Over the last week the eel seems to be jerking his head a little more regular and laying his head flat on the gravel rather than the usual arching his head up looking happy. He is about as active at night as normal but I am getting extremely worried about what to do now or how to treat him. Could it be that he is being pestered buy the other fish and would he benefit by me placing them in another tank for while (I have not seen any evidence of this). Also this may be insignificant but the puffer was also inflated this morning for the first time. Your help would be much appreciated as I feel I do need it. Sorry for such along e-mail but I wanted you to have all the information possible.
Kind Regards, Darren Adams
<Hi Darren, sounds like it could be related to his environment, tank size, water quality, diet, tank mates.  What size tank are we dealing with, filtration, and what are the water parameters?  You will also want to feed a varied diet.  The links below have more information on the Zebra Moray.  -Gage
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebramor.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/morayfdgfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/morays.htm  >

Unwell Zebra Moray
Hello Again thanks for your reply,
The tank is 380ltr and I have 2x Eheim 70 gallon external canister filers with full media one of these has a wave system etc, I also have 3 power heads.
<skimmer?>
The Ammonia is zero and so is the Nitrite, the Ph is 8.4 and the Nitrate 20. The shop I bought him from had him for 10 months and said they could only ever get him to feed on mussels. Should I maybe put the puffer in my spare tank and see if the eels feeding mood gets better as the trigger and puffer are just getting more aggressive at feeding time.
Kind regards
Darren Adams
<Evenin' Darren, that nitrate reading is pretty darn high, I would focus my attention on getting that down.  The puffer and trigger could be pestering him, removing them could not hurt.  A feeding stick would work well to direct food down to him.  You will need to offer him a variety of foods for long term success (cut fish, squid, crustaceans). -Gage http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebramor.htm >

Zebra Moray Looking ill
I have come home from work today to fine my 2.5ft Zebra moray lent against a rock with only one of his breathing pouches working he seemed to feed okay last night and I have never noticed this before.
Is this normal and if not how should I treat it
<Likely nothing... Do what you do to check water quality, assure that there is adequate aeration, circulation... Otherwise, I would not treat this fish. Morays, and other eels sometimes just seem to "breath from one side". Bob Fenner>
Your help would be much appreciated
Darren  

Re: Zebra Moray Looking ill
Thanks for your reply
I have checked the water and its all okay except .25 on the nitrite test,
<This is a little troubling... is your biological filtration sufficient? I would slow down to stopping feeding till this reads zero>
ph 8.4, ammonia 0 and nitrate 20, the tank also has good aeration. I can not remember whether I have ever seen him breath though the right hand air pocket is it usual that they are some times made redundant and should I do anything if he does not start to use this again, he seems slightly agitated and not his normal self.
<I'd chalk that up to the nitrites... or rather, the source of the nitrites>
I am very worried as I have only had him a couple of week and everything seemed okay till today.
<Do boost your biological filtration. Please read here re: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/filtration/biological/biofiltr.htm
Bob Fenner>
Your help again would be much appreciated, Darren

Zebra Moray Eel Looking ill help required
Hi
I am quite concerned about my 2.5ft Zebra moray eel over the last couple of days he has been spending a lot of time laying with his whole body upside down with his head flat on the floor of his cave.
<Not a good behavior>
He seems to be eating fine on his present menu of tiger prawns and the water tests, aeration and circulation are all good.
<Real values please>
One thing I have noticed is that his breathing is a little much shorter but more rapid, I may be worrying about nothing but could you just confirm if this seems normal.
<Moray breathing rates can/do vary>
His tank mates are a sail fin tang and a French angel in an 85 UK gallon tank.
<A bit crowded... I would check on the alkalinity (aka alkaline reserve) of the water. Easy for small volumes with large bioloads to lose such in short order>
As always your help would be much appreciated
Kind Regards
Darren Adams
<Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Re: Zebra Morey Eel Looking ill help required
Thanks for your reply, the water readings are ammonia 0, nitrate 40ppm,
<Would like to see the nitrates kept below 10 ppm>
nitrite 0, and ph 8.4, I always us RO water and do a water change of 7-10 UK
gallons a week, would there still be alkaline in the water.
<Likely so, gauging from your high, constant pH.>
The eel is still swimming round at night, but again today he was laying
upside down.
The tang is just 3 inches and the angel 5 inches.
If you think I should test for alkaline it will get a kit tomorrow but if
that is fine do you have any other suggestions.
<Perhaps to try changing the diet a bit (to other crustaceans) and maybe augmenting this with a HUFA, vitamin and iodide mix (available through TMC in the UK... by Tropic Marin, Microvert. Bob Fenner>
Kind Regards
Darren

Re: ill zebra eel
Zebra Eel Follow up
I just checked the quality of the water. The specific gravity is 1.019. The pH is between 7.8-8.0 , the nitrites are 0, the Nitrates are between 10-20 and the ammonia is 0.
I have been feeding the zebra moray eel about twice a week. I feed him krill and occasionally crab.
I have been constantly monitoring his condition and he seems to be breathing less and less. It does not seem as if he has moved today. Although this could be the case, he is still breathing and moves occasionally.
<Your pH is pretty low. You mentioned doing a water change in your previous email. I would suggest another as soon as possible. You nitrates are not high, but your pH should be higher, 8.2-8.4 being optimal. Feeding and other parameters are ok. -Steven Pro>
Please help. Thanks.
Anny & Brian

Zebra Eel
<greetings, Anny>
Recently, he has been inactive for long periods. During this period, he will lay part of his body upside down (mostly resting it on a rock). Could it be something he has eaten (yellow damsel currently MIA)?
<nope... captive artifact/anomaly or water quality issue most likely. Else it may be an expression of poor health from inappropriate diet. What have you been feeding an how often?>
I recently did a water change so the water quality is ok.
<what were the specific water quality readings?>
Is there any illness associated with zebra eels that I should know about? Thank you for your help! -Anny
<Anny, please follow up with the chemistry and feeding info so that we may help you promptly. Anthony>

Zebra Moray Eel Problems
Hi Robert, just a quick question regarding an eel. He has developed small egg-looking sacks on the inside of his mouth. It seems to be hindering his eating behavior. Please let me know if you have any knowledge of what this might be and how I might treat it. Thanks
<Could be symptomatic of a genetic, developmental, nutritional, environmental, infectious or parasitic disease... or "natural"... about the only thing to do at this point is to check water quality, improve, make consistent... possibly supplement foods, water with vitamins, iodide... and evaluate your current set-up and maintenance procedures for possible trouble/s. Bob Fenner>

Zebra Moray (6-11-03)
 I have a 17-18" Gymnomuraena zebra living in a 55 tank Who has developed
white specks along his body. Is this disease? <If they look like little
grains of sugar on him it is most likely disease. Look here and see if you
can find anything helpful: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/parasiti.htm .>
History: Tank: Been cycled for nearly a year. 25-30lbs. Live rock. W/D SUMP.
And Canister filter. Feeding. Recently switched from small daily feeding to
twice weekly medium/large feeding. Additions. Only 5-6lbs live rock. <Some
thing may have come in on the rock.> Tank Mates. No new additions, 4 small
predatory fish. Any ideas? Thanks for your help And as I've stated in a
previous email, Great book. Jake Dean <Hope this helps, Cody.> Dallas.
I was the author of the above post http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebramfa.htm
and wanted to follow up.
As I watched him daily the white spots, in a sort of ameba shape, covered
99% of his body and within days became recessed bruised and bloody sores. I
took him to the LFS to which they said "This is bad" (comments of a belt or
a wrist watch band didn't sit well with me) "but try this" - Kanacyn, "If
that does not work let me know and we will switch meds."
I treated him in a hospital tank for 25-30 min.s. at a time, every other day,
and cutting the dosage in half then returning him to his tank.
It didn't work.
Triggers waiting for a meal started nipping at his rotting and bloody tail.
I researched to next Med. and decided on Triple Sulfa.
Once daily in the hospice tank, 1-1.5 hours, three rounds.
Within two days his activity was back to normal and he was eating.
That was nearly three weeks ago, he is doing great. He has barely visible
scars and his tail is slowly retaking it's original shape and color.
thanks
-Jake

Sick Zebra Moray (8-6-03)
As I watched him daily the white spots, in a sort of ameba shape, covered
99% of his body and within days became recessed bruised and bloody sores. I
took him to the LFS to which they said "This is bad" (comments of a belt or
a wrist watch band didn't sit well with me) "but try this" - Kanacyn, "If
that does not work let me know and we will switch meds."
I treated him in a hospital tank for 25-30 min.s. at a time, every other day,
and cutting the dosage in half then returning him to his tank.
It didn't work.
Triggers waiting for a meal started nipping at his rotting and bloody tail.
I researched to next Med. and decided on Triple Sulfa.
Once daily in the hospice tank, 1-1.5 hours, three rounds.
Within two days his activity was back to normal and he was eating.
That was nearly three weeks ago, he is doing great. He has barely visible
scars and his tail is slowly retaking it's original shape and color.<Thank you for the follow up, it is always nice to hear what happened.  Good to hear of success!  You will love this guy, I have 1 myself and he is my favorite.  Mine is very tame and will wrap around my arm and take food from my hand at feeding time.  He would appreciate a bigger tank in the near future though.  Cody>
thanks
-Jake

Zebra Eel Problem (2/2/04) 
Hi. <Howdy> So I'll try to make this short. First off I did look on your site to try and find the problem myself <thanks> but since I am still fairly new to salt water I couldn't really find much. I have a 1.25 ft zebra eel in a 55 gallon tank. <I disagree with Scott Michael's assertion that a 55G tank is big enough for an eel that can exceed 4 feet in length. 120G is better.> 
As you can see in the picture he's starting to turn pink (not white) in his black stripes. <Do you mean the white stripes in between?> At first this didn't concern me cause I figured it was just cause he only ate krill for a year (bad info from store) so if you can suggest something else for him to eat (besides silver sides)<why not silversides?> I would appreciate it. 
<sand eels, squid, octopus tentacles, mussels--a variety of marine meats. I feed mind a seafood gumbo mix I get at Albertson's for $3 per lb.> 
Anyway, this concerns me now because my 1.5 in Sailfin tang (only other fish in tank besides some signature coral) has some pink forming above one of his eyes and the eel has started acting strange. <Suspicious for HLLE, look this up on WWM.> Sometimes it looks as though he's trying to breathe without opening his mouth at all, and then he'll thrash around like he's having a seizure. <Almost sounds like maybe he's got something stuck in his throat. Don't know what to do for that if it were the case.> Other times (I saw that other people on the site had this problem too but I didn't see what it was) he'll lay on his side or up against something like he's dead for half the day. <Possibly toxic water conditions or malnutrition.> 
I know you would like specific numbers on water quality but sadly enough the store said that they can't give me exact numbers they just say that "your water is fine, nothing's off" and oxygen should be fine cause I have the powerhead from the Fluval 304 breaking the surface and creating bubbles. <I'm no longer a fan of canisters in marine aquariums. Frequent (at least weekly) cleaning is required.> Anything that you could suggest would be great help, thank you so much for you time. <Buy some test kits of your own so you can have real numbers for the most important parameters. Salifert, Hatch and LaMotte kits are well-regarded. I've been reasonably satisfied with Hagen. Feed the fish a better variety of foods and soak these in Selcon & vitamins before feeding. Get the Tang some live algae to eat (e.g. Tang Heaven from www.ipsf.com) that you might want to grow yourself. Maintain excellent water quality & see if this causes improvement.> 
Sincerely, Shaun Welsh <Hope this helps. Steve Allen>

Zebra Moray Ills?
Hello Bob,
<Hi, MikeD here today>
I have two Zebra Moray Eels in a 125 UK Gallon tank. One eel which is of 2.5ft which I have had for 18mths, the other is of 18inch and was recently introduced in to the tank just over 3weeks ago.
The only other tank mate is a six inch snowflake eel.<Shouldn't be a problem here with the combination>
The tank is well filtered with a large prism protein skimmer. All chemical levels are okay. Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate 20ppm, ph 8.o<OK>
I have a cave made of gutter piping imbedded in the coral sand with four outlets for the eels to live.<Fine as long as they will use it. Keep in mind the zebra morays get quite large!>
The larger zebra moray eel has not fed for 5days, paying no interest in food at all, and for most of today laying upside down with his head out of the cave.<This isn't unusual, and actually normal for morays being fed quite heavily>
After the lights went off tonight he/she swam out of his cave and I noticed his girth was swollen to nearly twice its normal size, from behind his/her head to his rectum. I had noticed over the last week or two his girth was slightly larger but not to the concerning extent of the above).
His respiration is also slightly more erratic.<THIS is sign for concern. You may want to consider quarantining this fish for treatment>
The two zebra eels seem to get on very well, swimming and laying together most of the time. Could this be a pregnancy!<Possible, but not likely, given their small size.> surely not in such a short time?<LOL! Even fish can react strongly if one is a "10" **grin**
I have tried to look up on the internet but have not found any information on this subject.<IF it's pregnancy, they may well spawn for you, but rearing has not yet been accomplished on a home level due to the long planktonic elver stage. My suggestion would be to wait for a day or two, and if the larger fish doesn't show signs of improvement, remove it to a quarantine/hospital tank and treat for constipation, possibly a bacterial infection>
Your prompt help would be most appreciated in this hour of need.
<Hope this helps a little>
Many Thanks
Darren Adams

Sick Zebra Moray Eel
<Hi, MikeD here>
I have a 2 ft eel that up to very recently was doing well. I found him
today breathing rapidly with his head leaning on a rock (left side) and
with only his right gill pouch protruding out more than I ever noticed
before.<That's not good> My first thought was that he has something caught in his throat
as he usually breathes evenly through both pouches.  When he tried to
move positions, I noticed that his body quivered and like one would with
a chill or seizure. I fed him 4 days ago 3-4 silver slides but not
interested in eating now.<This is part of your problem....I'm surprised it ate them at all. These are specialized crustacean predators, requiring a diet of shrimp, lobster, squid and crabs> I had him for about a month or so and his diet
consists of these fish (silver sides).<OK...this is part of the problem. These are an oily, fatty fish not normally suggested for these> That was the store told me to
feed him.<Ouch! So much for stores. God only knows how long they were feeding it these.
He lives in a 120 gallon aquarium with 2 angels 1 squirrel fish and a
clownfish.<Good combination.> Occasionally the small black angel fish (about 2-3 inches)
has tried to peck at him but otherwise there is no stress from other
tank mates.<Do you have enough LR so that he can stay completely hidden, with just his head exposed?> He was well until recently and the only change I made before his condition changed was to do a water change and I expected that this
would improve the environment not make things worse.<Likewise> The PH is 7.9-8.0 .
Ammonia and nitrites is zero and nitrates is 5  
Could this be due to some bacterial infection from  bad fish food, bad
chemistry or diet issues?<All three is possible and likely. My only suggestion would be try a good antibiotic regimen in a quarantine tank and make a trip to the supermarket for a diet change. Raw shrimp ought to be eagerly welcomed if it can be tempted to eat.> What can I do to help him?<Keep your fingers crossed too.>
I appreciate any help that you could offer.
Linda.

Sick Zebra Moray
<Hi, Mike D here>
Thanks for your speedy response. I wish I had received the instructions from the store on the crustacean diet at the outset.<me too> I tried to give some raw shrimp to give to the eel but he unfortunately was not interested in eating.<That's not good>
I have a lot of live rock creating hiding places but nothing enclosed like a cave where there is only one way in and out.<Many people bury PVC pipe in the substrate so that the eel can use it like a tunnel with just the head protruding, the normal position for them.> I did take notice that the little black angel is very aggressive towards the eel and took every opportunity to nip at his body. I did not think that this was so much a problem.<It isn't. Many fish will "mob" a moray whenever they see them out, much like crows with a hawk.> The eel still moves around the tank but not swimming as before but rather on the gravel dragging his body (body appears stiff).<Swimming wasn't a good sign either, but it sounds to have gotten worse>  I wonder if  he has sustained a bunch of wounds from this fish?<Doubtful...they make wallets from this tough hide, plus they secrete a very heavy slime coat> I did remove the aggressive fish from the tank.<put the angel back and remove the eel for treatment> Can you tell me what kind of antibiotic product I should obtain for the tank? Should I be adding anything else to the tank?<I suggest NEVER treat you fish in your main tank. It can destroy the bacterial balance, causing the whole tank to cycle at times, create a bacterial bloom that's often fatal, and/or some products, like copper will actually chemically bond to the LR and substrate. I suggest keeping a 10 or 20 gal. tank around to press into service as a hospital tank (do a search under "hospital tank" and you should find a wealth of information on filters and such. A good antibiotic is Nitrofurazone and Furazolidone>  like that stress coat product?< Probably not necessary as eels secrete a copious amount of slime already.>
Thanks so very much for your help!!<The very best of luck to you>
Linda

Sick banded moray eel/red sores
I have a 3 1/2 ft. I believe a Banded Moray eel.
<Gymnothorax zebra?>
I recently did not add enough salt to his tank and burned him w/ the fresh water?
<Not likely>
He now has red bloody spots around his face & neck approx 4 of them, also very white around the face as well.
I have since corrected the problem w/his salinity and ph is ok as well. It has been about a week since this has happened. Have you ever heard of this before?
Thank you for your response.
Stacey Swanson
<Have seen moray eels with burns from poor water chemistry, physical damage from scratches on decor, jumping out... if yours is still alive after a week it will likely cure up. Bob Fenner>

He's a tough guy, and is still alive and kicking!
<Ah, good>
Thanks for the quick response!
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Stacey Swanson :)