Why is my Zebra Moray is Loosing his Teeth???

[Crazy Cracker]

I have a good sized Zebra Moray (about 27 inches - see pic below) who has always had a voracious appetite for shrimp and krill.

Lately I've noticed that it takes him up to several minutes to actually chew the shrimp into small enough pieces to swallow where it used to only take him a few seconds. After looking in his mouth today, it looks as though some of his molars are missing. What's causing this?

Is this a normal cycle he's going through? Is it due to old age?

For the past few months, I have been feeding him peeled shirmp from the grocery store - is it possible that this shrimp is nutritionally deficient causing him to loose some teeth? I will start feeding him krill again since it will be easier for him to eat (no chewing), but I'm really concerned about him.

Any ideas???

[iamwrasseman]

i have moreys that break and sometimes lose their teeth but they grow back quickly . i have been feeding them cooked cocktail shrimp for years and they are perfectly healthy so i would not think its the diet . it may be his age ? other than that i have no idea ,wish i had an answer for you but im tagging along to see .

[klepto]

Any ideas???
are you feeding frozen or fresh shrimp?
I believe that raw shrimp are high in protein and other amino acids. Are you varying with other foods? How often are you feeding?

Dave- is there a reason you are feeding cooked shrimp? And is that all you are feeding? is it getting enriched? (all out of curiosity)

[JackiB]

I have about the same size, maybe a little bigger, yellow head (fimbriated) eel. He usually just loses his front teeth and then they grow back, I am guessing the back ones could do the same. Kinda like a shark's teeth, that fall out a lot.The first time I saw it, it freaked be out because his tooth was parallel with his jaw, then it was gone, then there was a new tooth. I would be concerned if they do not grow back.

[Crazy Cracker]

are you feeding frozen or fresh shrimp?
I believe that raw shrimp are high in protein and other amino acids. Are you varying with other foods? How often are you feeding?



Klepto,

Im feeding him frozen raw uncooked shrimp that I thaw out in a bowl of RODI water before dropping into the tank.

I typically feed him two pieces of shrimp every other day, any less than that and he lets me know that he's hungry. He's a somewhat pickey eater and wont take any food other than shrimp and krill, but I suppose I could start trying a few other foods.

I just took another look at his teeth and I would estimate that 4/5 of them are missing, so I'm really beginning to get concerned - it doesn't look like any "new" teeth are coming in behind them either. I will switch back to the krill and see if that helps any.

[iamwrasseman]

Klepto ,i feed them cooker shrimp because the raw just grosses my out as i cant stang the smell on my fingers as it just wont go away . i know it sounds stupid but i really hate the smell of fish and the cooked just dont leave such a stench . that being said yes i inject with selcon and Gv2 or Gv3 ,they are all somewhat supplements for fish food .

[Eric the half-bee]

Klepto,

Im feeding him frozen raw uncooked shrimp that I thaw out in a bowl of RODI water before dropping into the tank.

I typically feed him two pieces of shrimp every other day, any less than that and he lets me know that he's hungry. He's a somewhat pickey eater and wont take any food other than shrimp and krill, but I suppose I could start trying a few other foods.

I just took another look at his teeth and I would estimate that 4/5 of them are missing, so I'm really beginning to get concerned - it doesn't look like any "new" teeth are coming in behind them either. I will switch back to the krill and see if that helps any.

CC, I live on the space coast of FL and and have fed gulf shrimp to my zebra and other fish numerous times. Local bait shop always has them. A dozen live are $3 and they're big enough to serve on the table. Have you checked the local bait shops? Also, I buy frozen squid in a block for 3$ and the eels go nuts.

[Crazy Cracker]

CC, I live on the space coast of FL and and have fed gulf shrimp to my zebra and other fish numerous times. Local bait shop always has them. A dozen live are $3 and they're big enough to serve on the table. Have you checked the local bait shops? Also, I buy frozen squid in a block for 3$ and the eels go nuts.

Eric,

I've considered purchasing live shrimp, but you have the issue of keeping them alive until feeding them to the fish, not to mention the questionable water quality from the bait shops. All of ours around here have signs stating "Not for Human Consumption" so I've been leary about putting them into my tank.

I can purchase about 3 dozen peeled, fresh and unfrozen for around $3.50 from the grocery store, so that's what I've been buying.

Come to think of it, if BP doesn't clean up their mess in the Gulf pretty soon, I may not have much choice anymore.

[Eric the half-bee]

I understand your apprehension. Ive never had issue with water quality and the guys at the bait shop admitted to eating the shrimp themselves. I pick 'em up on the way home from work usually and dump 'em in the tank. My tangs shred 'em as quick as the hit the water. Also, I've got an edge in that I've got over 500 gallons TV so my tank chemistry is pretty rock solid.

[Crazy Cracker]

UPDATE:

I believe I have determined the cause of my Zebra losing his teeth and it is entirely my fault.

After trying liquid baby vitamins and some different foods, I finally tried doubling his food intake for a month or so and his teeth are now growing back in.

I had reduced his diet to a single piece of shrimp per day and he seemed fine for 3-4 months, but apparently he was simply being malnourished and it finally caught up to him.

I now feed him two pieces of shrimp per day and he is more active, alert and has a mouth full of teeth. Naturally, I feel terribly guilty for putting him through this.

Let this be a lesson: Don't starve your pets!

[LukFox]

Glad to hear he's doing well now. :)

[scubarob]

break out the good ol' zebra moray dentures, eh?!

[iamwrasseman]

yes they are gorging type eaters but they cant be left unfed for to long as they may fast or become malnourished as you have found out . i Had six eels in a system and stopped feeding regularly ,within a year they all started losing their facial markings and desire to eat. all succumbed within the second year and i will never take on such a task unless i am prepared to finish the game . i really feel bad for what happened to them as it was my fault completely and will never happen again . now i have the sole survivor that endured only after i fed him and took him off line with the others . they do need weekly feedings and correct water parameters but can survive in your toilet compared to all other fish . my true viper is now in my auto body repair shop office and loves the attention that he now gets daily .
we live and learn ,I'm glad that yours pulled through !