The
black ribbon eel
, Rhinomuraena quaesita , also goes by the names of the Blue or Yellow Ribbon Eel. These Eels are quite unique, they are black and yellow and resemble a ribbon, hence the name.
How many gallons does a blue ribbon eel need?
The Ribbon eel, Rhinomuraena quaesita, requires a minimum tank volume of at least 55-gallons , although larger volumes would be even better. They will grow to 4-feet in
total length
, but will spend most of their time coiled up behind rocks in the aquarium, which is why they do not require large volumes of water.
What do you feed a blue ribbon eel?
Eels prefer crustaceans with calamari, shrimp, mussels, fish and frozen silversides being
good food choices
too. It is important to incorporate whole foods into your blue ribbon eels diet while still keeping it as varied as possible.
Are eels reef safe?
In general, snowflake eels are excellent reef-safe morays [Figures 1, 3, 4, 5]. They adapt quickly to
tank life
, readily accept prepared marine-based foods, and are much less of a threat to fish than members of Gymnothorax.
How big do blue ribbon eels get?
The blue adult males range from 65 to 94 cm (26 to 37 in) in length , while the larger yellow females can reach up to 130 cm (51 in).
Will an eel eat my fish?
Many moray eels eat fish , though some of the smaller species feed on crustaceans. One of the most interesting behaviors moray eels exhibit in the wild is cooperative hunting.
What is the smallest saltwater eel?
The Snyder’s moray is the smallest species within the family, measuring less than six inches in length when fully grown. Its reddish-brown, sometimes dark,
mottled coloration
dappled with small white spots makes for great camouflage on the reef. It is found throughout the eastern and western Pacific.
Do ribbon eels eat shrimp?
What is this? Ribbon Eels are actually safe with corals, anemones, and nearly all invertebrates. The smallest of shrimp species may trigger a feeding response But larger shrimp should be safe since these eels strongly prefer eating fish.
Do ribbon eels bite?
They will bite if threatened Being somewhat smaller than most moray eels, the Ribbon Eel will usually retreat into its hole if one approaches too closely.
Can ribbon eels close their mouth?
Like moray eels (and unlike most fish), the ribbon eel has to open and close its mouth in order to circulate water towards its gills (in order to breathe).
Are ribbon eels electric?
Ribbon Eel Colour & Gender Phases: Blue Phase (male): As the eel matures the black changes to a bright, electric blue with an equally vivid yellow dorsal fin; this marks the male stage of the ribbon eel’s life cycle.
What fish can live with snowflake eels?
Compatible tankmates for the snowflake moray eel include other relatively large, aggressive fish, such as lionfish, tangs, triggerfish, wrasses , and possibly even other snowflake moray eels if they are both introduced to the tank at the same time.
Are moray eels blue?
Moray eels are very colorful. They can be black, gray, brown, yellow, green, blue, orange, or white All these colors can appear as stripes, spots, or some other pattern on the eel. Some moray eels, such as the banded moray eel, can even change their colors to better camouflage.
Are moray eels poisonous?
Moray eels aren’t poisonous , the most common complication from a moray eel bite is infection. More serious bites may require stitches, and some can cause long-term injury like the loss of a digit or body part.
Are eels male or female?
When identifying whether eels are males or females, the key feature to look for is whether the gonad has a distinct lobed or scalloped appearance, a little like a row of beads – if it does, the eel is male If the gonad or is more like a ribbon of tissue of the same width, resembling a net curtain, the eel is female.
How much is a banana eel?
Their tank size should be large, providing plenty of space for corals, caves, and other places to hide. The average price to adopt a banana eel is at least $1,000 , though you will need to factor in the price of the right tank size and any tank mates you adopt as well initially.
Can you buy an eel?
Various eels are available for purchase at Petco online and in store ; availability varies by location. If visiting your local Petco, please call ahead to check availability.
How long do ribbon eels live?
Ribbon eels can live up to 20 years , and can grow up to 1 meter long. The biggest individual observed measured 1,30 m. You can find the Ribbon eel in sandy areas around reefs and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. It can be found in very shallow waters down to 60m.
How do you get a blue ribbon eel to eat?
It is important to use aquarium tong because they think it is another ribbon and try to grab food from its mouth so cut shrimp or dead fish in size of your ribbon mouth(food should long and thin) put the food in tong and hold tong near their nest It is better to use some drops of garlic on their food.
What do ocean eels eat?
Eels eat insects, fish, and crustaceans as part of their carnivorous diet. Eels eat fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They are carnivorous predators that eat a very diverse diet, including just about any marine creature that is smaller than them.
What do ribbon eels eat in the wild?
Ribbon Eels are carnivores that eat very small fish that swim near their hideout Offer live rosy reds, guppies with orange or red coloring and very small goldfish to get them to start eating. Convert them over to silversides and other marine flesh. Feed them every other day.
Can I keep eels as pets?
Freshwater eels can be kept with larger community fish; keep only one eel per aquarium Eels can live harmoniously with angelfish, gourami and rainbow fish but may try to eat fish that fit in their mouth.
Can you keep two eels together?
With a maximum size of 12 to 16 inches, these eels are the perfect size for home aquariums. They prefer to be in groups so the general rule is three or more in any one aquarium.
What saltwater fish can live with eels?
Saltwater eels have a reputation as vicious hunters, but are usually harmless if handled correctly. They are compatible with Triggerfish, Pufferfish, and Larger Angelfish If well fed we even have had small Damsels be safe in the same tank.
How much is a ribbon eel worth?
Each ribbon eel sells for 600 Bells Finally, if you want to speed up your hunt for a ribbon eel, remember that you can use Fish Bait to cause random fish to spawn instantly.
Do ribbon eels change gender?
All blue ribbon eels undergo an immense transformation within their lifetime. At birth, they begin life as males and as they mature they make the switch and become females Although seemingly remarkable, in the fish world, this occurs more than you might think.
How long can eels be out of water?
First, although eels breathe with gills underwater, they can survive out of water for several hours breathing through their skin.
What can I feed eels?
Eels eat “live” food. Small longfin eels living amongst the river gravels will feed on insect larvae, worms and water snails When they get bigger, they begin to feed on fish. They will also eat fresh-water crayfish and even small birds like ducklings.
Can you feed eels bread?
Malnourishment – Bread is like junk food for birds, eels and fish Wildlife naturally feed on a range of vegetation, insects and fish. Eating human food like bread, rather than their natural diet can cause malnourishment and make them sick.
What size tank do you need for a saltwater eel?
Those species that attain a length of more than 30 inches are best housed in aquariums ranging from 55 to 135 gallons in size. The smaller species (those less than 30 inches in length) will do fine in a 20-gallon aquarium, while the “mini morays” (those less than 15 inches) can even be kept in 10- or 15-gallon tanks.
Why do ribbon eels keep their mouth open?
Like other moray eels, they keep on opening and closing their mouth for breathing It helps them circulate the water inside their gills.
Do ribbon eels change color?
All have all a yellow dorsal fin. For many years, marine biologists thought that individuals of different colors were different species. As it turns out, a single ribbon eel can turn all three colors during its lifetime.
Do eels eat cleaner shrimp?
For the Moray Eel, the cleaner shrimp is most vital All marine animals need to be cleaned of parasites and dead skin so they don’t succumb to disease. The cleaner shrimp will even enter the gaping mouth of the eel to do its job properly!.
References
Colourful critters that are just a little bit weird? Meet the Ribbon Eel!
https://www.thesmilingseahorse.com/blog/all-about-the-magnificent-ribbon-eel
https://www.marinefishez.com/saltwater-fish/eel/blue-ribbon-eel-detail