I have a favourite fish. It is my ghost eel. I have had it for over 2 years and it's very nice to watch when it comes out to swim. I have never had a problem with this fish.
Today, I found the poor thing in the sump - a sump full of live rock so you can image my fear of trying to get it out. It was motionless because in the sump, the current is so incredible from suction by the main pump, suction from the skimmer pump, return flow from the main tank, return flow from the skimmer, AND the flow from the PH I have in there too keep detritus stirred up (to be taken up by the skimmer). I turned the power off to these items and the eel began to swim around again. Its tail was a little bloody but nothing that wouldn't clear up in a day. Anyway, while the eel swam around I was able to grab a hold of it in my hands and pull it out. Boy, its slimy. I put it back in the main tank and placed plexi-glass on the overflow.
Not too long ago the PH I had in the tank did a number on this eel and tore its gill slit. The hole has never really healed.
Well, today, I thought about trading the eel in. While in my hands I thought about putting him into a holding tank and taking him away. The anxiety of this guy getting out and dying on the floor (going into the sump is just inconvenient, not fatal) would haunt me. But I couldn't do it. Everyone has a favourite and this fish is nothing but peaceful and nice to look at. I would be a fool to give him up.
This all started because of the new pump I added. It may have brought the skimmer to life but so far it has:
1) flooded the floor of the sump
2) caused the capret anemone to wander around the tank
3) raised the water high enough that the eel can actually get into the overflow box.
<Sigh>
I just wanted to talk about it. Thanks for reading.
I am truly sorry...we all do things that we thought are for the overall good of the reef, not realizing that the critters INSIDE the reef feel differently about it. All you have to do is make some ajustments and everyone will be able to adapt. Try to make it more comforatble for him!
I'm sorry. That does really stink ~ and it's so hard to make decisions like that.
I remember finaly having to get rid of my Panther Grouper (Snoopy!) - many many years ago....he just was outgrowing the tank way too fast and we had no place to put a larger tank at that time. I loved that fish - we used to 'play' - he would come to the top of the tank at feeding time and spit water at me....and always ate out of my hand.
ANYWAY....hopefully you'll get the pump issue worked out so you can bring the water level back down - I've btdt with the pump issue and rising water levels - it's a PITA!!
You'll find a way to work things out so that you can keep the eel. Where there's a will......
Thanks for the support. Today after work, I stopped by the LFS and picked up a couple of gate valves. Hopefully I can control the amount of water now. I don't know why I didn't pick them up when I was plumbing the tank. Probably because they are so freakin' expensive. Anyway, tomorrow we will see how the plumbing works out.
Jupiter......I know exactly how you feel about letting that eel go. I've got a Panther Grouper and a Snowflake Eel that I'm getting rid of on Monday. The eel is my 'baby' - he's very interactive with me at feeding time. He likes to curl up in my hand and eat while poking his head between my fingers. I hate to have to let him go but if I ever want to get a full reef tank going, I gotta. The panther grouper - good riddance! I've BEEN wanting to get rid of him.
Sorry to hear about your eel problems Jupiter. But glad you didn't trade him in. Here's hoping that those gate-valves will do the trick,and bring harmony to your tank, and some peace of mind to you!
I'm sad for my eel
Nothing worse than giving something up that you *could* have kept, and then regretting it after the fact...
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