Ribbon eel

Care at a glance

The ribbon eel is one of the most spectacular sea creatures you can encounter: long and ribbon-thin, with flaring nostril flaps. All individuals start out black and yellow, then become electric blue as males, and in old age change into an entirely yellow female.

In the aquarium it is notoriously difficult: many specimens refuse anything but live fish for months and die anyway. Only experienced keepers with an absolutely sealed tank, a sand bed with tube-like burrows and a great deal of patience should attempt this species.

Good to know

• Outgrows most home tanks
• Preys on shrimp and snails
• Hard to wean onto dry food
• Active at night
• Known jumper — cover the tank

Best not combined with

• Neon gobyElacatinus oceanops
• Cleaner shrimpLysmata amboinensis
• Hermit crab (red leg)Clibanarius sp.
• Fire shrimpLysmata debelius

Related species

• Clarkii clownfishAmphiprion clarkii
• Snowflake eelEchidna nebulosa
• Matted filefishAcreichthys tomentosus
• Tomato clownfishAmphiprion frenatus
• Starry blennySalarias ramosus
• Tomini tangCtenochaetus tominiensis