How do I tell my eel is healthy?

[mahimahi]

Bought a snowflake eel for my 29 gallon last Sunday, he is with 2 pj cardinals and a coral banded shrimp. I fed the tank but didn't see him grab at anything. Is he a scavenger or is he stressed? How do I tell if he's healthy? Should I feed him with tongs? I'm using frozen brine shrimp.

 

[KrisDeitz]

Hes gonna eat your Shrimp FYI.

Also they may not eat for a few weeks at a time

 

[mahimahi]

Not to concerned about the shrimp at the moment. Ive seen no aggression at all except when the shrimp nicked him when he first went into the tank.

 

[KrisDeitz]

Try Silversides or Big Raw shrimp. Mine would eat everyday then stop. Great eeels tho

 

[mahimahi]

Thanks for the advice

 

[jennm]

In the wild they don't necessarily eat every day. Find out where you bought him, how long they had it, and what and how often it ate. That should give you an idea.

Jenn

 

[myvwrock]

you are going to want to separate those fish...:fish::unsure:

 

[bpitts4]

You will also want to feed him with tongs....this will make him assiciate you and the tongs with food therefore losing the natural instinct to go after and kill the other occupants of the tank i.e....the fish that you want to keep.

My eel didnt eat for a few days but I tried feeder goldfish to get him going. Although not the best food to give him it got him going. I now give him a half peice of a large shrimp daily.