moray eel not eating

**glarior** · 03-11-2009, 09:05 PM

Hello,

I am trying to find out why my eel has not eaten anything for the past month+. I checked the water parameters and SG and they could not be better. I still cleaned up the tank with new water and hiding places for him to but he still does not want to eat anything. I added two mollies for him to eat (not trying to be cruel... it’s a act of nature in the wild for him) still nothing. He would always eat the shrimp out of my hand but he has not wanted any of that for over a month. What do you think could be wrong? He seems healthy still but I don't want him to 'kick the bucket'

Thanks

**toddnbecka** · 03-11-2009, 09:11 PM

Try increasing the salt content to full seawater?

**rageybug** · 03-11-2009, 09:15 PM

What kind of eel?

Is it possible it has something stuck in it's mouth/throat? Try offering some different types of food. Try squid, beef heart, mussels... anything might help to stimulate his appetite again.

**glarior** · 03-11-2009, 09:24 PM

What SG are you thinking? Freshwater moray eel. Could I use the stuff from the seafood section at wal-mart or similar store?

**ILuvMyGoldBarb** · 03-11-2009, 09:26 PM

It would be helpful to know what species of Moray we are talking about.

**glarior** · 03-11-2009, 09:36 PM

Gymnothorax tile -

Also, how would you know if something was stuck in him? I don't see any bulges or abnormalities indicating something is stuck.

**rageybug** · 03-11-2009, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by glarior

how would you know if something was stuck in him?

Does it have it's mouth open (more than usual)? Are you missing anything from the tank, like a snail?

Does the moray have lots of hiding places? Have you made any changes to the set-up of the tank?

**toddnbecka** · 03-11-2009, 09:45 PM

They will live just fine in full salt, and it may stimulate the appetite. They do tend to go on hunger strikes after being moved.

**glarior** · 03-11-2009, 09:52 PM

His mouth has been normal. He opens it to move water for oxygen. I don't have any snails in the tank it was just him. He does have lots of hiding places and day before yesterday I changed up the tank layout. He became more active and explored but has not eaten anything yet. I will try and add some more salt and see how that turns out because I am one the low end of the spectrum for his SG.