Eel - White Ribbon Medium

The White Ribbon Eel has an off-white body colour, with a brighter white stripe running down the length of its body. Its head and face are also white and covered with black spots. As it matures its colour may darken to a light shade of brown.

There is little information available about this species breeding patterns.

Their natural environment is the Indo-Pacific region. This includes the Western Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Ryuku Island, and Samoa. They are usually found on reefs and in lagoons, hiding in crevices, or buried in sand and rubble. Normally, they inhabit shallow areas, between 1-8 meters.

Tank Recommendations for White Ribbon Eels

White Ribbon Eels should be housed in a tank size of at least 50 gallons (189 liters).

A secure cover on an aquarium is essential as this species can escape through the smallest of gaps. They need plenty of rockwork for shelter and establishing a base. Plastic piping can also be used as a hiding tube. It is recommended to include a 90-degree bend in the pipe, about 1 third of the way down.

This species will need monitoring in a reef environment. Rockwork and corals need to be quite stable. Eels may knock coral or undermine rockwork, causing collapsing. A suitable tank needs an aragonite or sandy substrate.

Suitable Tank Buddies

White Ribbon Eels are semi-aggressive. Generally, they are peaceful but don't get on well with other Eels. They will show aggression to conspecifics and other species of Ribbon Eel. More aggressive eels will harass them and make them unwilling to feed.

They are peaceful with most other fish as long as they are too big to fit in their mouth.

Usually Compatible

Suitable companions are docile, or semi-aggressive fish that are too big to fit in the eels mouth. For example, large Angelfish, Tangs, and Pufferfish.

Sometime Compatible

Care should be taken with Dwarf Angelfish, Wrasses, Anglerfish/Frogfish, Hogfish, and Groupers.

Rarely Compatible

Small crustaceans and fish such as Chromis, Dartfish, and Basslets may be eaten. Seahorses and Pipefish are also at risk. Territorial, aggressive fish that may nip at its ribbon should also be avoided.

Feeding Your White Ribbon Eel

White Ribbon Eels are carnivorous. Initially, they may need to be fed live food such as ghost shrimp. Over time they will adapt and take fresh fish and crustaceans. They will also consume frozen or freeze-dried products such as krill and other meaty foods. They can be taught to hand feed, but this must be done using a feeding stick. Feeding only needs to occur every 2-3 days.