Copepod predators that are Reef safe and will NOT be eaten by a snowflake eel?

[Franzvs]

I have copepod overgrowth in my old cycling tank (15G). This tank is now a semi-reef tank and home to a snow flake eel since I don't cycle much anymore. Whatever I put in there now will go in to my 75Gallon reef tank afterward. There are so many copepods and amphipods that all of the walls are full of them! I have a mandarin goby in the big tank already and was advised not to have two in one tank so that option is out. I also tried a cute little blenny. The blenny did a good job, but became food to the eel as he is not present anymore! I also had a cleaner shrimp to help me, which the eel made a meal of as well! What should I get? I feed the eel 2-3 fish or shrimp every day so he is not exactly starving… what will he not eat that will eat my amphipods and copepods?

[Parrothead]

I have copepod overgrowth in my old cycling tank (15G). This tank is now a semi-reef tank and home to a snow flake eel since I don't cycle much anymore. Whatever I put in there now will go in to my 75Gallon reef tank afterward. There are so many copepods and amphipods that all of the walls are full of them! I have a mandarin goby in the big tank already and was advised not to have two in one tank so that option is out. I also tried a cute little blenny. The blenny did a good job, but became food to the eel as he is not present anymore! I also had a cleaner shrimp to help me, which the eel made a meal of as well! What should I get? I feed the eel 2-3 fish or shrimp every day so he is not exactly starving… what will he not eat that will eat my amphipods and copepods?

first off, you should not be keeping any eel, let alone a snowflake in a 15 gallon tank, come on, live in your closet for a week and you will know what I'm talking about. An eel is a pred. the belong in a tank 75 or up and it better be a tank where the other fish will not fit in his mouth, I've kept fo tanks, and am currently a reef keeper, please don't try to do both. Pick a pred. tank or a reef, the eel is gonna eat whatever you put in there, sorry. JMHO

[Franzvs]

Yes, he was supposed to go in to the big tank. The problem, he likes to live in the small filter and will climb over at any time, so if I leave the top only the slightest bit open - he will climb out and end up on the floor! He loves small dark spaces and your telling me he'll be happy in a big open tank. When I got him my LFS said that the cleaner shrimp and Blenny would be fine if I feed him. The big tank is open because of hot lighting and with the skimmer there is always a spot open even when putting a grate on top of the tank .... any advice other than killing him or keeping him in the small fully enclosed tank?

Ohh yeah, since I am very new to this hobby - I did not know that the eel could not be kept in a reef when I got him 6 months ago!

[Parrothead]

Yes, he was supposed to go in to the big tank. The problem, he likes to live in the small filter and will climb over at any time, so if I leave the top only the slightest bit open - he will climb out and end up on the floor! He loves small dark spaces and your telling me he'll be happy in a big open tank. When I got him my LFS said that the cleaner shrimp and Blenny would be fine if I feed him. The big tank is open because of hot lighting and with the skimmer there is always a spot open even when putting a grate on top of the tank .... any advice other than killing him or keeping him in the small fully enclosed tank?

Ohh yeah, since I am very new to this hobby - I did not know that the eel could not be kept in a reef when I got him 6 months ago!

First off, Welcome to Reeflands.

Secondly, welcome to lfs(live fish stores) whose only purpose, with very few exceptions is to sell things,

Eels are natural escape artist, must be kept in a very secure tank, they can and will eat anything they can get ahold of, I know this from experience, have kept several, they are not by any means reef safe, their appetite, and always wanting to explore leads to disaster, find another lfs if they told you it was reef safe, when you find the new store, catch the eel and take him in for store credit. Believe me it will be the best move you can ever make, if you want a reef, he has to go, Sorry

[Steve McKay]

+1,get rid of the eel or get another tank just for it.Whats wrong with to many copepods and amphipods?

[Doodaa]

Use the pods to feed your mandarine

[TimH07]

First off, Welcome to Reeflands.

Secondly, welcome to lfs(live fish stores) whose only purpose, with very few exceptions is to sell things,
y

LFS = Local Fish Store

[Parrothead]

LFS = Local Fish Store

Tim,

That's what I meant

[Bloodydecks]

All the info provided is "text book" correct. The eel is a predator, the eel will eat small fish and crustacean, and the eel is an escape artist. You should keep it in a bigger tank...but since you don't have that option you can do one of three things.


Try to sell it on line.

Trade it in or give it back to the store (most stores will not take back fish for cash creid, or trade, as they don't want to introduce any disease into there systems, but normally it is because a fish that you paid $75 for, they paid $20-$30 for, and they will offer you even less, they in the business to sale fish, not buy back fish).

Set it free (but I'm sure its illegal, as i don;t think Snowflake eels are native to Florida).

Or just keep it in the tank its currently in.

The eel has a small brain, and could careless. His brain funtions just don't work that way. All it knows is, Eat, survive,..thats it. They live in the rocks, they only come out during the night to feed, and they normally will return to the same cave once they have fed.

I lobster dive a local reef at Catalina Island, several times a year, and every time i go back, I have seen the same eel, in the same cave (for the last three years). Also, when I go on vacations, I take guided tour dives...at this one place in Aruba, The divemaster has taken me on the same dive, and in the same spot, there is this HUGE moray eel, that is still living in the same coral head.. I have done this twice..and the eel was there both times. The dive master said it has been there for years...and some people hand feed it. These animals don't need a lot of room..they just need a place to hide, good water, and a food supply.

As long as you are keeping it fed, and the water quality is right....IMO, I say keep it. Just quit adding other fish.

From the pic, the water looks like it has a lot of particulates , and the water looks a little yellow. Try and increasing your macanical filtertion, and add some running carbon.

And what is the BIG pink fish