Dwarf eel not eating ...

[Paula]

I have a golden dwarf moray eel - about 13 inches long and a gorgeous specimen. For the first few weeks he was eating very well - frozen mysis, and whole frozen krill. For the past week he has not eaten - anything. He investigates the food but then does not take it. I made a point of getting up early this morning - in the dark - to see if I could entice him to eat (he seems to be nocturnal - or at least prefers lower light) but no luck.
Does anyone have any suggestions? or any ideas about what I can do to make sure he stays healthy?

He is a very cool fish.
Paula

 

[fanaglethebagle]

Tempt him with live?
good luck

 

[Paula]

Thanks -
Any other people with eel experience?

 

[Rays]

Paula, I have had a few snowflakes over the years, and it wasn't unusual for them to stop eating for days, sometimes weeks, it was very un-nerving to say the least. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it to eat, when it's hungry it will become very, very active. BTW, mine were suckers for raw cocktail shrimp. Good luck.

 

[CaptainAndy]

I've had a golden dwarf in my reef for about 2 years. I very rarely see him/her. I feed the tank piscine energetics mysis shrimp every day and I rarely see it eat. But, it's healthy so it must manage to scavenge when I'm not loking. Don't forget, Moraysdon't eat every day in the wild.

If you're concerned, best thing to do is buy a little neck or steamer clam, split it open and place it within an inch of it's hangout. Wait a few moments and you'll see the clam disappear.

 

[ReeferMedic]

As stated already, eels will some times stop eating for weeks or longer at a time for no apparent reason. I've had morays that did this from time to time. It should begin eating again when it's ready. You just have to keep tempting it with different foods, which I'm sure you're already doing. Hang in there.

 

[Paula]

Great - thanks for the replys. I guess I should just keep trying, but not lose sleep. Good idea about the steamer ... between the puffer and eel the clams will we gone in a heartbeat.
I'll keep you updated.
P

 

[Paula]

Just an update on my eel . .. He ate a nice big chunk of krill last night. Whew.
Thanks very much for your help . .. now I can relax a little.
Paula

 

[Rays]

Great news! I only fed mine every 3-4 days, after he pigged out he was good for at least that long.