The Snowflake Eel, or Echidna nebulosa, is a potentially entertaining addition to a saltwater tank. They’re a more manageable eel than other moray eels because of their smaller size and reduced aggression.
This guide will help you determine if the Snowflake Eel will be ideal for your tank.
In most cases, your Snowflake Eel will get along with the invertebrates in a saltwater tank, including corals and shrimp. Their natural habitat is the reefs of the Indo-Pacific region, so you don’t need to worry about them causing harm to this kind of environment in captivity.
Like other eels, the Snowflake Eel is a carnivore that feeds on a variety of meaty foods. They’re particularly fond of crustaceans, including crabs and clams. Try to feed them around two to three times per week with a varied diet consisting of everything from mussels and certain saltwater fish to squid and octopus. However, you should avoid feeding them freshwater fish as they can make them sick.
Also, avoid feeding the Snowflake Eel by hand since they are prone to biting with a mouthful of sharp teeth. Instead, use something like tongs to lower food into the tank.
You can keep more than one Snowflake Eel in a single tank, but it’s best for both to be the same size and have ample space in a large tank. You should also try to add both eels at the same time to ensure they’re accustomed to each other from the start.
Keep an eye on your Snowflake Eels, as they may become aggressive toward each other.
Snowflake Eels have a particularly long lifespan. They can live for up to 15 years or even longer with proper care.
You won’t need to feed your Snowflake Eels too often when they’re healthy and properly cared for. You can feed your eel something like ghost shrimp if it’s been longer than a week since it last ate.
Snowflake Eels aren’t too expensive; you can find them on the market for around $50 to $150 at most aquarium shops, mainly depending on the size. Just keep in mind that if you buy a small Snowflake Eel, it will likely grow to a much larger size and require a sufficiently-sized tank.
The following are some facts you may want to know about the Snowflake Eel:
The Snowflake Eel gers along with many other types of tank mates. You can keep your eel in a tank with community fish such as tang and angelfish along with more predatory fish like groupers and lionfish. They can also get along with some non-mollusk and non-crustacean invertebrates, including starfish, anemones, and sea urchins.
The primary tank mate to avoid is any type of crustacean or mollusk.
You can purchase Snowflake Eels from many online shops, including the following:
If you’re interested in adding an eel to your tank, the Snowflake Eel can make a good selection. With proper care and regular feeding, this eel will be a welcome mainstay in your aquarium.