Golden Dwarf Moray Eel (Gymnothorax melatremus)

[EmilyB]

Well, they don't suck, but they do require some target feeding and patience at first. What does he look like, emaciated???

[Chaloupa]

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]

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]

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!

[wickedfrags]

Does it poke it's head out when you feed the tank?

[Delphinus]

Nope.

The behaviour just doesn't seem to fit with what you and Chaloupa describe of yours. I got the impression that even though they may not always eat, you at least see them swimming around from time to time? Or at least poking the head out when food is added?

Have to say that this is about the third livestock item in a row that I've purchased that 1) was way too much money to spend and 2) I totally regret having done it because it's not working out.

[Delphinus]

What's your opinion of maybe the issue is that this is the only fish in the tank? Would a (suitably large enough, of course) dither fish maybe be something to consider? ... Another eel? A mirror on one side maybe???