Reef tank
Hi Bob, you got a nice setup with this Q&A. It has been very educational for me. My question is could I put an eel in a 40 gallon setup with a very 
good protein skimmer? With eel would be good? How about a Zebra moray? And how large do they get? Thanx for your answer.
>>
Thank you for being part of this forum. A smaller Zebra (Gymnomuraena zebra) would be fine to start... they do get a good four feet or so in the wild... but grow quite slowly in captivity... Our old service company had some for over ten years.... Another good choice for smaller marine systems is the Snowflake (Echidna nebulosa) which tops out at about 3 feet... both are good animals for captive use.... that eat most all types of meaty foods (they prefer crustaceans), and leave most marine fishes alone (unlike most of their kin of the moray eel family, Muraenidae).... Just take care to keep a tight cover over all openings of your tank top.... as they are escape artists par excellence.
Bob Fenner

Zebra moray
Hi,
Thanks for the very useful information on the zebra moray at http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebramor.htm
<Ah, yes. You're welcome>
I recently saw one of these amazing creatures in a fish store and am considering setting up a large (6ft) tank for one of these beauties.
<Am visiting in PA, and just saw one that was a mere 6-8 inches at a fish store>
I have maintained fresh-water aquariums for many years, but never a marine tank. I was wondering if you thought it was a good idea to have a zebra moray eel in my first marine tank? You mention their tolerance on the webpage.
<Not a terrible choice... a pretty tough species. Specimens just tend to run large... but tolerant of wide ranges of chemical, physical conditions... and hardy crab eater. >
Thank you,
Andrew Bayliss
<Bob Fenner>

Zebra Moray
Bob,
I have had my eye on a Zebra Moray at my LFS for about a month. They say they haven't seen it eat yet. The moray is about 18 inches long. Should I
avoid this specimen, or should I give it a go?
Thanks, Kelly
<Have them offer it fresh, or live shrimp, a crab... and don't buy this specimen or any other unless it's eating... what you will be offering. Please review the selecting livestock sections of the website: www.wetwebmedia.com for much more. Bob Fenner>

Re: Zebra Moray
Robert Fenner wrote:
> I know bigger is better and all, but would a 125 gallon be a good size for it?
> <Yes, a good size for a few years, medium size specimen>
would a snowflake be better at that size setup then? just how large should a dedicated zebra be?
<A Snowflake would be better (typically start smaller, stay so). And about eighteen inches if you can find one... recently encountered a barely eight inch one in NJ... tiny. Bob Fenner>

Re: Zebra Moray
All right then, I'll stick with the snowflake, saw one for sale here about the same size, around 8" - 9", hopefully I'll be able to acquire
one that size when I finally get the setup going.
Thanks for all the advice!
Mike, aka Pinkie Finger.
<Make sure the specimen is feeding ahead of purchasing it. Bob Fenner>

Smallest zebra moray
Hi again,
I think I've seen the smallest zebra offered so far, about 6".
<Good gosh, that IS tiny!>
Aqua Serene in Eugene has him in the acrylic display case in a fishbowl covered with cheese cloth. he has a place to hide, but it's got to be
the tiniest eel I've ever seen, no bigger around than one of those fat pencils they saddle elementary school kids with.
Mike
<Hope this specimen is eating... Bob Fenner>

Re: smallest zebra moray, expensive Harlequin Shrimp meals
So do I, he seemed to be in good shape, but we know how deceptive that can be. While I consider them a somewhat high price wise, they do have
excellent livestock. No dead or sick animals in the tanks, everybody bright eyed and bushy tailed. 
<Commendable>
I didn't have the time to check up on him though. If the condo sale goes through (I have someone interested!)
I might get back and reserve him, as long as he's healthy. I'm not sure if the next one was intentional or not, but they had a harlequin shrimp
(a lovely blue) in with a "scarlet" starfish, the harlequin was going to town on it. since they were asking $27 for the starfish, I'm not sure if
they set it up as a feeder or if someone just didn't know better.
<Suspect the latter. Bob Fenner>

Eels
Thank you for your response Cody. That is well needed information concerning the decision of the what type
of eel to purchase. I researched a lot about the Zebra and Snowflake as well and I think I would rather go
for a Zebra because of the personality and aggression levels it has but was wondering two things.<This is a great choice, I have one myself that will eat out of my hand!  They become very tame after a while, mine even lets me "pet" it.> One web
site I found said they were difficult to keep compared to other eels and I want to know if this is true and
if so what makes them difficult compared to others?<They are a very hardy choice, although they can sometimes have problems with blindness.>
Next question would be could I keep a large sea
cucumber with this eel? <Yes> I pride myself on researching
and making informed decisions especially when it comes to the life of a living creature.
Also, if you don't mind will a Zebra work well in a
125g tank or should I just get a snowflake? <He should be fine, just keep the tank under crowded with a protein skimmer to clean up after their messy meals.  Cody>
Please advise,
Thanks,
JB

Zebra eel
I read on one website that these animals are "difficult to keep".  Is this true?
<Not the Gymnomuraena zebra eel... it's amongst the hardiest, easiest to keep morays. Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebramor.htm >
 I have a 125 and a 55 gallon tank.  I was thinking about getting an
eel and putting it in the 125 but I do have 2 angels 4 tangs and a lion.  I
did the plumbing so that my 55 and 125 are linked to a 75 gallon aquarium that is my lighted sump and filter system( I have plants growing in the sump for natural filtration and to dissuade algae growth).   In essence I have a 250 gallon setup.  What do you think?  I had a snowflake eel in this tank.  He actually got pretty large (until I went on vacation and my brother left the top hood open).
<A very good choice for your set-up and other livestock.>
Thanks for any info!  Joe
<Thank you for writing. Bob Fenner>