Can Snowflake Eels Live with Clownfish?

In theory, a clownfish and snowflake eel can live together. However, we do not recommend this. Clownfish have been the victims of predatory snowflake eels. 

However, sometimes, people want or need to put a clownfish and snowflake eel together. In such situations, there are steps you can take to keep the eel from eating the clownfish. 

Firstly, use a large tank. Your tank should be big enough to allow the clownfish to comfortably swim and hide. 

Secondly, try providing the snowflake eel with live food. This way, it is less likely to view the clownfish as a meal. Thirdly, include plenty of plants and rocks. These will serve as hiding places for the clownfish. 

Despite these safeguards, the snowflake eel may still target the clownfish. Hence, it is prudent to be ready for this outcome. 

Clownfish are agile and quick. However, they are still unmatched by the snowflake eel’s speed. Additionally, the eel has a considerably longer reach. 

In addition, snowflake eels are extremely aggressive as far as food is concerned.  

Is a Snowflake Eel Friendly?

Snowflake eels can boast of a very eye-catching appearance. For this reason, they are a popular choice for aquariums. 

Are they friendly, though? 

Snowflake eels are not generally social. Thus, they may not be the best choice for someone searching for interactive pets. 

That said, they are pretty peaceful on the whole. Hence, they can smoothly coexist with other aquarium species. 

However, the snowflake eel does possess razor-sharp teeth. For this reason, you should exercise caution while handling them. 

Overall, they make a nice addition to any aquarium. This is particularly the case for owners in search of aesthetically pleasing and low-maintenance pets. 

Is a Snowflake Eel Aggressive?

Generally, snowflake eels are considered peaceful. However, there are times they can become hostile. One such instance is if they feel threatened. Other than that, they could also show aggression while defending their territory. 

Snowflake eels may prey on smaller tank mates. 

Thus, you must consider other aquarium occupants before introducing a snowflake eel. Snowflake eels may be wonderful additions to an aquarium. However, you need to properly care for them. You also need to ensure they have ample swimming room. 

How to Protect a Clownfish?

Clownfish may be kept safe if you give them plenty of hiding spots. 

Clownfish and anemones have a symbiotic relationship in the wild. The clownfish provides parasite control for the anemone. The anemone, meanwhile, offers hiding space for the clownfish. 

How Often Do Snowflake Eels Eat?

Like many other fish, snowflake eels don’t always have access to food. Thus, they have to make the most of every feeding opportunity. 

Ideally, you should feed your snowflake eel twice a day. This will help keep it content and healthy while in captivity. 

Keep in mind that snowflake eels are nocturnal. That is, they become active after dark. 

For this reason, it is crucial to feed them before nightfall. You should ensure they are well-fed before turning off the lights. 

Do Snowflake Eels Eat Other Fishes?

The answer is yes, a snowflake eel will eat just about everything. This ranges from shrimp to other eels and even smaller fish.

Are you looking to add a snowflake eel to your aquarium? If so, you may need to first remove any smaller fish that may already be there. 

Also, you must provide the clownfish plenty of hiding spaces. This is particularly important if you plan to keep the eel and clownfish together. 

The two species can coexist peacefully. However, the prerequisite for that is a large enough aquarium. 

Nonetheless, at times, snowflake eels are highly aggressive. If that is the case, you are better off keeping the two species separate. 

What Fishes Can You Add With Clownfish?

Clownfish are pretty peaceful. Thus, you can add almost any saltwater fish with them. Ideally, an aquarium should contain no more than two clownfish at a time. 

Clownfish can be housed with the following fish species:

  • Kole Tang
  • Aiptasia-eating Filefish
  • Fairy Wrasse
  • Flame Angelfish
  • Yellow Tang
  • Marine Betta
  • Coral Beauty Angelfish
  • Blue Tang

The list above is by no means exhaustive. There are plenty of other fish that can share an aquarium with clownfish. 

The key is to do thorough research on your chosen marine pets. This way, you will be able to fulfill all of their requirements. The happier the fish are, the more peacefully they will coexist. 

What Fishes Can You Add With Snowflake Eels?

The first thing to consider is the size of the snowflake eel’s tank mates.

If the other fishes are smaller, you should add plenty of hiding spaces for them. Another good idea is to add fishes that swim at different aquarium depths. 

For instance, snowflake eels generally swim towards the bottom. So, a good plan would be to mix them with fish that swim towards the top or middle. This will help minimize tensions between the various species. 

You must also consider adding other predatory fish species. These fishes should at least be capable of holding their own even if they’re not aggressive. 

 Here are a few fish species you can consider adding with snowflake eels:

  • Marine Betta
  • Triggerfish
  • Yellow Long-nose Butterfly Fish
  • Porcupine Puffers
  • Emperor Angelfish
  • Yellow Tangs
  • Lionfish

How Large Should a Snowflake Eel’s Tank Be?

For a snowflake eel, at least 75 gallons of tank space is required. Some snowflake eels can grow to be even longer than 24 inches. However, this is not the norm. 

It is vital to consider the eventual size of your chosen fish. Keep in mind that 75 gallons is the bare minimum. Often, you may require an even larger tank. So, the bigger the aquarium, the better. 

How Fast Do Snowflake Eels Grow?

The snowflake eel is amongst the smaller eel species. However, they tend to grow rapidly. Within a year, the typical young snowflake eel can grow 5-7 inches. The bulk of their growth happens within two years. 

Eels have a very high growth rate. For this reason, many people decide to go for a large aquarium. Even for a young eel, we recommend an aquarium with at least a 40-55 gallon capacity. 

This will allow the eel plenty of growing room. Also, you will not have to stress about buying a bigger tank in the future. 

Do Snowflake Eels Eat Clean Shrimps?

Both the eel and its environment in the tank influence this. Assuming your snowflake eel is well-fed. In such a situation, it will not threaten shrimps or other tank mates. 

But, what if the eel is not being fed adequately? In this case, it may begin targeting other aquarium residents. Along with fish, they may even go for cleaner shrimps. 

Does a Snowflake Eel Eat Crabs?

Yes, snowflake eels do eat crabs. However, the crab must be small enough to fit in the eel’s mouth. 

If you have crabs and snowflake eels together, it is best to provide hiding spaces for the former. This should also be done for any smaller tank mates. 

Wrapping Up

You can keep clownfish and snowflake eels in the same aquarium. However, you must make sure the two are compatible. 

It is important to provide the right water conditions and enough room. As long as these requirements are met, any fish can be housed with the clownfish. 

It is important to keep snowflake eels happy and healthy. To do so, you must install plenty of hiding spaces. This is because snowflake eels are generally active and like to explore. 

You must also consider other predatory fish species that could be added. 

All in all, the key is to keep the snowflake eel well-fed. As long as it is getting enough food, it is unlikely to target its smaller tank mates. 

Other articles you may also like: