USA - Neglected NOPE Rescuer - Writer+Illustrator

[De'sir The Bat]

Hey Everyone.
This is where I introduce myself. My name is De'sir, and for the longest time - people would find fish that were not wanted, and bring them to me. This started my hobby when I was about 5 and then seriously at 10 and for rehab and rehoming at 14 or so. I'm 26 now and though my fish room is currently a bit small - it still has that feel happening.

SO. I only have one monster right now - and it was by chance, but I adore the unnamed dear one.

I have an Indonesian White (ghost) Ribbon Eel who resides in my office.

I tend to focus on creating ecosystems and biotops in my tanks, though I also grow plants for other keepers and for other hobbiests to get in on the fun.

I hope to learn a lot and make friends here. Thanks for doin' what you do.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Welcome to mfk! Are you able to post a pic of your white ribbon here yet (I think you need five posts first).

So what do you write and illustrate?

 

[De'sir The Bat]

Welcome to mfk! Are you able to post a pic of your white ribbon here yet (I think you need five posts first).

So what do you write and illustrate?

Here is my little office companion. (The food is a strip of very-dead fish - he has a revolving diet of various types of fish, squid/octopus flesh, shrimp and crustaceans.)



I mostly write and illustrate science fiction and fantasy stories. My primary focus is in monster/creature designs ( no surprise there! ) and the majority of my stories revolve around thematic elements that are more sentimental, tragic, or home-hitting in nontraditional settings. I adore the work.

((Also - before anyone comments on the algae. This is an Indonesian Cove biotope. I grow copepods in it and the algae is there deliberately (It also prevents my eel from scratching himself.) The wood has been treated for years before use in saltwater, and is inert. It does not affect my ph or other numbers in a measurable way.))

 

[Deadliestviper7]

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Here is my little office companion. (The food is a strip of VERY not-fed-alive fish - he has a revolving diet of various types of fish, squid/octopus flesh, shrimp and crustaceans.)

View attachment 1316151 View attachment 1316152

I mostly write and illustrate science fiction and fantasy stories. My primary focus is in monster/creature designs ( no surprise there! ) and the majority of my stories revolve around thematic elements that are more sentimental, tragic, or home-hitting in nontraditional settings. I adore the work.

Sounds interesting, a story without impact would be terrible, sounds like your on the right path.

Love the eel btw

 

[De'sir The Bat]

Sounds interesting, a story without impact would be terrible, sounds like your on the right path.

Love the eel btw

Thank you. I originally had my tank set for other Indonesian species that I've kept prior - but my LFS had this guy in and couldn't get him to eat. I asked 'How long has it been?" and they said it had been a couple weeks since they got him. He hadn't eaten anything since arriving (not due to their lack of trying.) I think he was a special order that someone changed their mind on.

It came home with me immediately. Call it an impulse buy, but ribbon eels have a terrible track record of not surviving long in captivity. This guy eats (and needs to eat) once or twice a day. They aren't like snakes who eat maybe once a week.

I couldn't just leave him there. I think it was the right choice considering the possible outcome.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Thank you. I originally had my tank set for other Indonesian species that I've kept prior - but my LFS had this guy in and couldn't get him to eat. I asked 'How long has it been?" and they said it had been a couple weeks since they got him. He hadn't eaten anything since arriving (not due to their lack of trying.) I think he was a special order that someone changed their mind on.

It came home with me immediately. Call it an impulse buy, but ribbon eels have a terrible track record of not surviving long in captivity. This guy eats (and needs to eat) once or twice a day. They aren't like snakes who eat maybe once a week.

I couldn't just leave him there. I think it was the right choice considering the possible outcome.

I also think it was the correct choice, many ribbon eels never get properly acclimated to captivity because they either aren't fed correctly or are fed freshwater fish that are bad for them such as goldfish.

So how did you get him to start eating?

 

[De'sir The Bat]

I also think it was the correct choice, many ribbon eels never get properly acclimated to captivity because they either aren't fed correctly or are fed freshwater fish that are bad for them such as goldfish.

So how did you get him to start eating?

Ribbon eels are advertised as predatory fish, but ideally they prefer to be scavengers. They also have killer immune systems if actually allowed to develop it.

I take a jar and a fillet of fish (depending on the eel, I've used tilapia, bass, salmon, tuna steak, snapper, - basically any fillet you can get should be ok.) - and I place it in a jar to thaw in the fridge. My fridge is also kept still quite cold, so the fish stays pretty icey to the touch, but soft enough to cut with a knife. The water that melts from the fish is liquid gold. I cut strips from the fillet, warm it up with a bit of warm, clean water (cycled/treated) and then dip it into that juice.

Every eel I've rescued from starvation has been brought back using this 'carcass in a jar' method.

Also, when I rescued this eel, I introduced it to the tank, watched it like a hawk with the lights off, then dimmed, then on usual cycle. Once he had his hidey hole - I began my feeding routine.

I splash the water a little with my pincette to say 'Food Time' Then i dropped the food in.

Ribbon eels have bad eyesight. They LOVE the food finding game though, and WILL smell the food. Once he discovered that it was food, and the splashing meant more - he began eagerly coming out at the splashing to hand feed (with the metal pincette)

I prefer dropping his food in and letting him find it for stimulation - but these days he swims out to me every time he sees me near the tank. This fish really does have a wonderful personality.

The 'carcass in a jar' can be made with most fish, shrimp and scallops - but for the purposes of bringing an eel back from the brink - fillets are the most appealing because they release the most scent particles into the water.

 

[JK47]

It’s rare someone shows up with experience and cool back story right out of the gate. Welcome aboard! Seems like a great fit here. See you around the forums

Beautiful eel by the way

 

[De'sir The Bat]

It’s rare someone shows up with experience and cool back story right out of the gate. Welcome aboard! Seems like a great fit here. See you around the forums

Beautiful eel by the way

Thank you so much!!! I am really excited to join the site and to contribute my neglected nope rehab knowledge.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Thank you so much!!! I am really excited to join the site and to contribute my neglected nope rehab knowledge.

Just one thing to remember with saltwater fish, they should be fed saltwater foods, lot of fish succumb to this unfortunately, although it often takes weeks to even years to kill.
What I love about ribbon eels (besides the shape), is that they can live over 40 years.