Emergency! I just got a snowflake eel and don't know to care for it!!

HI all,
I just went to petco and they said they had a snowflake eel for adoption and they said it won't eat other tropical fish, of which I have 10 glow fish, 1 plecostomus, 1 red-finned shark, 1 black molly, 1 Chinese algae eater, ruby barb, 2 crabs (2 in), and 5 neon tetras. I did some research when I got home and it says that they are very aggressive so I have no clue as to what to do. I don't know how to feed a snowflake and my tank size is about 80 gallons that has a filtration system graded for 180 gallons (AQUATOP CF-500). I have adequate covering and enough hiding space for the eel (I presume) and a wire mesh that covers the entire top so nothing can escape. I need advise as to what steps I need to take because if not, the only option left is to put it on KSL and by that time it may eat my tropical fish (humanely killing it is not an option for me). Thanks for your help!!!

 

I'm pretty sure your eel needs brackish/marine water...

 

I've never heard of a snowflake eel being a newbie so I was intrigued to see what one looked like. I googled it and it does say its a marine/saltwater fish

 

There are certain eels sometimes sold in the hobby as freshwater/snowflake eels that are not your typical marine snowflake eel but regardless they still require at least brackish water at a minimum.

I think you're best move would've been to leave it at Petco until you were sure you could take care of it.

 

ok, so know what ! the guy said it could coexist in my tank
Also, they said it was a freshwater eel and that it transitions to a saltwater organism (not sure if that's possible) and I did some research and it says that it is a brackish water organism. My tank is freshwater and the eel isn't moving from where I added it to my tank.

 

Take it back?

 

A quick google search lead to a bunch of stuff saying that you can have them in fresh as they are young but will need to get him to at least brackish after that

 

ya its too far to take it back but I will do it if possible. I have a spare tank that is 10 gallons, I have no experience in saltwater tank set up. Only freshwater set up. If I plan to put the ell into that tank, what do I need to do, (I presume that I can't just simply add table salt, and I have no idea how much salt I have to add). How expensive is it? what materials do I need?

 

No you'd need marine salt. Table salt does not make brackish water.

 

This page seems to cover everything, including care.


"Among advanced hobbyists it is known that all species referred to as freshwater moray eel in fact need brackish or marine water to thrive. The story is quite the same as with the brackish puffers T. nigroviridis and T. fluviatilis. They can last in freshwater even for months or years, but that is far away from the optimal care and thus should be avoided. The same is true for the freshwater moray eel. It's a shame that the word has not spread to many fish stores, which sell them as freshwater fish to beginners. Morays in fact can be successfully kept by beginners, but only if appropriate guidance is offered to them and the fish stores are still the major source for information of most customers."

 

This page seems to cover everything, including care.


"Among advanced hobbyists it is known that all species referred to as freshwater moray eel in fact need brackish or marine water to thrive. The story is quite the same as with the brackish puffers T. nigroviridis and T. fluviatilis. They can last in freshwater even for months or years, but that is far away from the optimal care and thus should be avoided. The same is true for the freshwater moray eel. It's a shame that the word has not spread to many fish stores, which sell them as freshwater fish to beginners. Morays in fact can be successfully kept by beginners, but only if appropriate guidance is offered to them and the fish stores are still the major source for information of most customers."

Lol I already provided that link in this thread

 

ya its too far to take it back but I will do it if possible. I have a spare tank that is 10 gallons, I have no experience in saltwater tank set up. Only freshwater set up. If I plan to put the ell into that tank, what do I need to do, (I presume that I can't just simply add table salt, and I have no idea how much salt I have to add). How expensive is it? what materials do I need?

Samuel, the link I posted explains briefly how you would transition it to his optimal home (salt). If you are nervous or don't think you can eventually set up a marine tank for it, I'd suggest returning it. It was poor information for the pet store to sell it as a freshwater animal. However, if you think you could potentially make the transition in a month or two (maybe a few) then he can be in fresh for now.

In fact, the pet store likely had him in fresh so he will need to be slowly transitioned anyway.

Lol I already provided that link in this thread

Oops!! Sorry I missed it while trying to reply quickly

 

It's not a race, no need to rush.

 

The topic said emergency. I was in frantic mode haha

 

I suggest giving it to a LFS
Most PetCo workers don't know what they are doing

 

Thanks so much you two! I put it as emergency cuz I was unsure if it would die quickly or not. I'm going to see if I can make a quick transition

 

Thanks so much you two! I put it as emergency cuz I was unsure if it would die quickly or not. I'm going to see if I can make a quick transition

From what I've read, a slow transition is more appropriate. Also make sure your new marine tank will be big enough. I'm sure you probably know but you can't just add marine salt to your freshies' water

 

Transferring to Saltwater might be challenging tho.
You need much more equipment. And it is expensive.
I suggest giving it to a LFS that has saltwater and/or brakish water tanks

 

slow transition as in slowly adding the salt to the water?

 

From what I read, snowflake eels need 50 gallons or more. The 10 gallon you already have isn't appropriate

 

Transferring to Saltwater might be challenging tho.
You need much more equipment. And it is expensive.
I suggest giving it to a LFS that has saltwater and/or brakish water tanks

I think I might do that, I have no other option, do they take any fish? last time I wanted to give my angle fish the said I needed some sort of license

 

I think I might do that, I have no other option, do they take any fish? last time I wanted to give my angle fish the said I needed some sort of license

From my experience, no
Eels are exotic, so they might accept it, since they are more prized

 

ok, thanks

 

Regardless of if you decide to keep the fish or not, at the very least you need to write a letter to the store, managers and GM to let them know that what they did was unacceptable.

The store should not have sold you the fish in the first place and at the very least, they need to make sure they train their employees and be held accountable. If they're not willing to do that, I would make a big deal out if it.

I know most stores will sell you anything but this is not just anything - its a fish that needs special requirements and not your ordinary fresh water variety.

Good luck!

 

^that that that
To reiterate what has been said... bring it back asap, they better take it back since they sold it to you...

From now on though may I suggest... PLEASE.. save yourself the headache and at least do a quick google search, I understand going into a store and really wanting to make an impulse buy(my betta was an impulse buy but I knew how to take care of them, not that its hard) but you really should just do a 5 minute research to see if you have the appropriate conditions for the living thing.... Most people have smart phones now and it would make your life far easier to just check it out before you buy it.