Golden Dwarf Moray Eel (Gymnothorax melatremus) - Page 6

brizzo · #51 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 · #52 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 · #53 09-22-2008, 05:25 AM

I will adopt him if you'd like?

Edmonton Eskimo · #54 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 · #55 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.

Delphinus · #56 09-25-2008, 05:32 AM

Day 12. Tried tying a small piece of squid to some fishing line and let it dangle in front of the hole I most often see the eel peek out from. Nothing.

Also can add oyster to the list of tried foods so far (yesterday). That was a lovely experience slicing a piece small enough to dangle on the skewer stick. Yum, yum. Gave the rest to my CBB and the crew he shares the tank with - man they went berserk over that.

Eels suck! Geeez. <sigh>

EmilyB · #57 09-25-2008, 05:45 AM

Well, they don't suck,

but they do require some target feeding and patience at first. What does he look like, emaciated???

Chaloupa · #58 09-25-2008, 06:11 AM

Have you opened an oyster, and stuffed it under the rock the eel is usually at? Maybe he's pretty shy and won't eat when you are close.....but the smell of food usually gets them going, mine gets excited when I feed the other fish the frozen foods I use.....worth a try? If you haven't already?

Delphinus · #59 09-25-2008, 07:11 AM

Tried it already.

I've tried what feels like nearly everything .. except wait the 3 months part I guess.

I can't tell if he's emaciated yet. He never comes out of the rock. Never. The only reason I know he's not dead is I occasionally see a face poke out for a second or so, then darts back in, not to be seen for half an hour to an hour.

There is not the slightest hint of interest in food. I mean it's one thing if the food is the wrong size, but you'd think the smell would at least entice some kind of response before bailing on the idea of eating. It's like there's no sense of smell or something.

One sort of funny thing, he's picked a hole right next to some sun polyps, he's the same colour. It looks like a new sun polyp but with blue eyes. I'd take a picture but .. yeah, I'd have to have the camera out and ready for the 3 or so seconds that the head pokes out in between the hour or two of waiting.

Chaloupa · #60 09-25-2008, 07:18 AM

Oh man.......that's a tough one...maybe he will just start...I would just keep trying. It sucks when one will do so well, and another just doesn't want to get on board. Good luck!