Off the Wagon - New Nano

[Delphinus]

I thought you were kidding at first. What are the dimensions of the tank? I was under the impression it was really tiny. I have no experience with ribbon eels but I thought it was still true that these guys still have a very high mortality in the hobby. If you've had one before then you know the score with them better than I do.

Myself having tried a different species of eel (golden dwarf in my case) in both a small setup and a larger setup, the one in the smaller tank wasn't quite as comfortable in his surroundings as the one in my cube tank. For an animal which you can tell is functionally blind at the best of times, he's surprisingly spatially aware.

So anyhow I would probably steer myself away from a ribbon eel at the best of times never mind one a nano, but what I know is only based on hearsay, and I do remember that you had one before and was able to train him onto food.

[sphelps]

White/ghost ribbon eels aren't traditional ribbon eels like the blue and black ones. They are easy to keep and very hardy. It is a recommended fish for nanos but yeah mine is pretty small at around 16x10x10. They usually tend to like small spaces and the one I previously had seemed to prefer the tiny overflow box over the 50 gallon tank it was in. I personally think it will be just fine but I'm worried about getting harassment from certain people if I later post pics of it in my setup, then again what do I care

[Delphinus]

Interesting, I didn't know that about them being a recommended livestock for nanos.

Doing some reading right now - Pseudechidna brummeri? Interesting stuff. Ok so I see they are totally different than the traditional "ribbon" eels - that face is distinctively moray looking for one.

Only thing is that it looks like they get to 40" ? If that's the case it seems that eventually you'll need him a bigger home but seems to me if you could find one small enough that it would probably do OK for at least a little while. As long as you have the escape routes sealed up, I'd be worried about him snaking his way down to the Fluval?

Dumb question maybe but how easy is it to open the tank up for feeding and so on? Not too bad?

I'm not sure I've ever seen one offered up around here. (Not that I've been looking though.)

[sphelps]

Yeah they can get long but stay super skinny.

Opening the tank for feeding is easy, top lifts right off and light fixture can be easily moved.

[Myka]

Of course you'll get harassed! We all get harassed for something at some point...

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Myka

Of course you'll get harassed! We all get harassed for something at some point...

Very true

[Myka]

Originally Posted by sphelps

So you figure this tank is too small for a ghost ribbon eel? Good or bad idea?

My personal thoughts...bad idea. Too much bioload when it gets bigger, and even though they have weird habits, I think a 16" tank is just kinda mean. Personally, I think most fish do better with stimuli...like other fish in the tank. They tend to be more active and eat better. For that reason, I would choose several small fish to put in that tank instead. What about a pair of Griessinger Gobies, and maybe a few Panda Gobies if you think you can get them eating...? Or a trio Threadfin Cardinals instead of the Pandas? Cardinals might eat the Griessinger's.