Ribbon Eel Sick?

[ekalpakoff]

I bought a ribbon eel about three weeks ago, he seems to be eating and active, though he keeps trying to escape (and actually did once, had to catch him under my bed) Since his capture, I started turning from brilliant blue to a darker blue almost black. My feeder shrimp often picks at him which looks abusive but I dunno and where he does pick at the eel, I can see spots of his original color. It almost looks like there is algae growing on him or somthing. I would have guessed ick but it's not white. Anyone have any experience with this. I have a 35 gallon eclipse 2, temp: 82. I have two firefish, three hermits, two clowns, a bi-color blenny, turbo snail, feather duster, and a plate coral. Everyone else seems healthy and happy. Thoughts? Thanks - Eric

[d9hp]

Sounds like tight quarters for such a large eel (you say he is blue which means he is adult, unlike a black juvinille) the good news is that he is eating ok. What are you params.

[reefrunner69]

I'm not sure of your particular situations, but it sounds to me like the eel is changing to it's adult coloration. Blue ribbon eels are black as adults.

[ekalpakoff]

Salinity is at 32 Gravity 1.024, that's the only tester I have at the moment, I did a water change about 4 days ago, and I do them about every two weeks. The lfs has a salt water dispenser I usually get that for my fish, less hassle.

Originally Posted by reefrunner69

I'm not sure of your particular situations, but it sounds to me like the eel is changing to it's adult coloration. Blue ribbon eels are black as adults.

Other way round 8O

Coloration usually occurs when the eel changes to a male adult. Juveniles will start out as balck with a gold/yellow dorsal. When changing to male the eel will transform to blue.

Once much more mature, the same eel then can change again to female in which the coloration is bluish/yellow or completely yellow.

Ribbon eels are protandric hermaphrodites (animals in which the male reproductive organs develop first only to degenarate later. It is then the female reproductive organs develop to stay for the remaining part of the life).

Cheers
Steve

Originally Posted by ekalpakoff

I bought a ribbon eel about three weeks ago, he seems to be eating and active, though he keeps trying to escape (and actually did once, had to catch him under my bed) Since his capture, I started turning from brilliant blue to a darker blue almost black.

Most likely the eel suffered some sort of epidermal damage from the escape. Do you know how long it was out of the water? Or where you in the room at the time?

Chances are the stress of the situation has either brought on a premature change or the skin is undergoing a sort of healing process. Any sign of excess body slime?

Cheers
Steve

[reefrunner69]

Ah well, no one is perfect...

http://www.cybereef.com/longfellows/...bbon_image.htm

According to this link, it kinda sucks to be a female ribbon eel 8O

[loganj]

Originally Posted by reefrunner69

According to this link, it kinda sucks to be a female ribbon eel 8O

No kidding! That's rough life.

[ekalpakoff]

Yeah, I would say he has excess slime, though I don't know of it is coming from him or crap from the sand, I would also say he seems to itch himself on the rocks too. He stirs up the sand a lot, maybe that's his way though, I dunno. Does anyone have a good source of info on these fish?
- Eric

[reefrunner69]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/morays.htm

Try this, it has alot of info on Marays in general and links to more eel info, not much specific to your eel though.