What are the chances of one of my fish being eaten?

[Bingo1213]

I have always loved both lion fish and snowflake eels. I would love to put one of the two in my 50 gallon. As far as the eel goes I would want a snowflake and for the lion fish I would want a fumanchu or a dwarf. Now my question is I have a 3 or so inch ocellaris clown as well as a 3 inch purple fire fish. I also have a melenarus wrasse and a bangaii cardinal but these are both full grown and I doubt the eel could eat them. IDK about the lion fish though.... Is there any chance these fish will not get eaten by an eel or lion fish? I won't get either one if I am risking my other beloved fish. Thanks!

 

p.s. if there are any safer eels I would be open to trying one of those as well! Eels are just so cool!

[ndrobey]

A lionfish will eat any fish that is able to fit in its mouth. That mouth is bigger than it looks. You would be better off getting a species only tank for an eel or lionfish.

[rone_kevin66]

With the eel it all depends on what size you get. If you get a young eel it should be fine with your other fish. Your best eel would be the golden dwarf but they are hard to find and are very expensive.

[Neebles]

You could check out a ghost ribbon eel, they are pretty small and can be had for about 35 bucks (at least locally)

[Matteo]

I had a dwarf lion fish 4inches with fish like the ones you have. As long as they are larger and the lion is smaller you should be okay. But best bet is just do predator only tank.

[SchnauzerFace]

With fish that size you might be OK, but I can't see the benefit being worth the risk. Even if they don't get eaten, they'll almost certainly be badly stressed knowing they live in a small box with something that might decide to kill them at any second.

 

That said, I'd love to get an eel some day, so I understand the appeal. Eel-only tank is your best option.

 

(Also, in the event you do add an eel, they need very tight-fitting lids)

[Bingo1213]

Ok perfect thanks guys! Doesn't sound worth the risk to me. How about garden eels are they as aggressive?

[Benny314]

From my research a lion can eat anything up to 3/4 it's body length so a 3 inch lion should manage a 2 inch meal. That pretty much rules out all smaller fish as even dwarf lions get to about 7 inches full grown. You'd just be providing it with expensive meals.

I am very interested in the eel option though as I hadn't thought of one and if it is possible to keep one with smaller community fish in a reef that would be pretty cool.

[rone_kevin66]

I'm picking up a small snowflake this week. I'll keep posted on who it gose. Will be in a tank with 2 black clows,3 fire darts, coral beauty,and a black Sailfin Blenny

[Clownfish2004]

I would personally have just the snowflake and the lion by them selves.

[markalot]

The purple firefish would be terrorized and soon die of stress if it's not eaten first.

[Bingo1213]

Would a garden eel bully the fire fish as much? I have read mixed opinions on that one...

[rone_kevin66]

Couldn't tell you. I'm hoping with the eel being so small and my fire fish having alot of hiding if needed everyone will get along

[lkoechle]

Garden eels do not live as normal eels (morays). They cannot live in caves and need a deep deep sand bed to construct their burrows in. They are also very timid. I would actually be concerned about a clown harassing them. They would do better in a species specific tank since their natural habitat is different then a traditional reef.

[jestep]

Dwarf golden morays are fish and reef safe. Make sure you have a super tight system for any moray though. They can climb and fit through much smaller spaces that you would expect.

[rone_kevin66]

Just added my snowflake 2 days ago. He seems to be getting along well with his tank mates. I hope he keeps being a model tank mate lol