Golden Dwarf Moray Eel (Gymnothorax melatremus)

SeaSerpant · #1 09-22-2008, 01:25 AM

your eel looks so cute Chaloupa.
I hope your eel starts eating soon Delphinus.

Thanks
SeaSerpant

Delphinus · #2 09-22-2008, 01:40 AM

Day 9 now - will he eat tonight?? Sigh, Tune in tomorrow to find out on "As the stomach turns", the Canreef soap opera.

SeaSerpant · #3 09-22-2008, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Day 9 now - will he eat tonight?? Sigh, Tune in tomorrow to find out on "As the stomach turns", the Canreef soap opera.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Delphinus · #4 09-22-2008, 04:51 AM

Nope, another night of futile efforts to entice it.

Now I've tried krill, mysis, shrimp, prawn, clam (live from the supermarket), squid, octopus.

I'm desperate for suggestions here. What's left I can try? Live food? Should I try ghost shrimp? I've got 100's of baby Ameca spendens in my FW, they'd probably be about the right size, except that 1) ugh, I can't believe it would have to come to that, 2) they're endangered or extinct in the wild 3) they're hard to catch 4) no real guarantee the eel would eat it, so it will just die in the SW and add to the fouling of the water.

I'm about ready to throw the towel in and put it up for sale in case anyone else thinks they'd have a better chance of getting it to come around.

I'm getting so close to done forever with this hobby everytime I make a purchase like this and I end up regretting it. Words can't express the sheer frustration of late... a small victory was all I wanted, apparently it's completely out of the question. My reef tank karma is all used up I guess.

brizzo · #5 09-22-2008, 05:04 AM

Have you tried oyster yet? Has the foods you've offered been previously frozen before? I've heard people have a lot better luck with very fresh seafood over frozen. Have you tried reducing your flow to see if he would eat then?

I wish one day I can find one of these eel's locally...

Delphinus · #6 09-22-2008, 05:16 AM

Haven't tried oyster yet. Did buy some the other day so I can try some but did freeze them already. Maybe I'll pick up another one tomorrow and try that before the frozen one.

I've tried both pumps on and pumps off. A couple days ago I left the pumps off for a good hour. I've tried with lights on and lights off. I also have a mesh covering over the tank at the moment because I'm worried about him escaping and this is helping to subdue the lighting.

I've heard of morays going on "hunger strikes" lasting for weeks at a time but that's probably more in reference to the larger ones - I can't see one as little as this lasting quite as long.

EmilyB · #7 09-22-2008, 05:25 AM

I will adopt him if you'd like?

Edmonton Eskimo · #8 09-22-2008, 05:25 AM

sounds like a struggle Tony. I didn't notice but did you try silversieds? If they are too big just cut the head off and offer that. With a lion I had a couple years ago that's how finally got it to eat. Offer it eyes first as it then looks like live food. I got my golden moray about a week ago and thankfully eats very well. He is fairly reclusive but I can find him usually hanging out in one of three spots in the liverock. I will get some pics of him soon.

wickedfrags · #9 09-22-2008, 01:40 PM

You are correct about the hunger strikes. The have been known now to visibly take for for almost 2 months. That being said, it does not mean they are not eating.

I have one living in the sump of my frag tank that will not take prepared foods and he has been there for almost 3 months. While skinny compared to the two in my display, I have no idea what he has eaten, but assumes he eats pods in there.

Once they start eating they will be fine, it just takes a little time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Haven't tried oyster yet. Did buy some the other day so I can try some but did freeze them already. Maybe I'll pick up another one tomorrow and try that before the frozen one.

I've tried both pumps on and pumps off. A couple days ago I left the pumps off for a good hour. I've tried with lights on and lights off. I also have a mesh covering over the tank at the moment because I'm worried about him escaping and this is helping to subdue the lighting.

I've heard of morays going on "hunger strikes" lasting for weeks at a time but that's probably more in reference to the larger ones - I can't see one as little as this lasting quite as long.