Erpeton tentaculatum - Tentacled Snake

This is a purely aquatic snake native to Indonesia, I saw it at the National Zoo a few weeks ago.

I've found some web pages from various universities that have said captive breeding is not uncommon, but I've had little luck finding anything about their captive husbandry.

I've been thinking of re-stocking one of my aquariums and wanted something a little different...this would pretty much be as different as I could come up with.

Yeah they're very cool snakes. Aquatic snakes are prone to fungal infections apparently.. you have to keep the correct amount of salt in the water to keep them healthy. There's a few keepers on kingsnake that I know of.. other than that, there's not much info on them.

The info I'm finding is from Zoos and whatnot.

And yea, I've read in more than a few places that they inhabit slightly acidic, brackish water.

Found this:

"Posted by Mark Robertson on November 27, 2000 at 18:47:44:

In Reply to: Survival of captive Tentacled Snake (Erpeton tentaculatum) posted by Dr. I. Zuri. Herpetologist behavioral ecologist on November 20, 2000 at 17:33:04:

I have worked with both Tentacled and Elephant Trunk Snakes over the last 20 years, and success is highly dependant upon water quality standards. To keep this short: maintain proper (and stable) water temperature (78-82F), keep the water well aerated, maintain the pH at or slightly below 6, create a "black water" system like those used for Discus (Amazonian fish), provide plenty of secure places for the animals to hide, keep strict photo-periods using a basking light on one end of the tank only, don't crowd the animals. Try to think of them as fish, not as herps. Most of the skin problems associated with these animals have to do with poor water quality. These are shy animals that often require hiding places before they will feed. One other important point; don't feed them "feeder" goldfish! They are some of the most disease infested critters on the earth, so avoid them at all costs.
I hope this all helps,
Mark R"

I've got a blackwater setup already, Ph around 6.5 due the driftwood leeching tannins into the water. I wonder if I could pull this off. The chore would be finding a captive bred specimen. Any takers?

Fascinating idea,


How much of an problem would it be keeping them in the tank if they decided a change of scenery was in order?

I know the muscle strength and rigidity means a lot of seasnakes etc can't move around much outside the water but I seem to recall some bred on land.

Then again we used to occasionally find weather loaches making determined bids for freedom across the carpet and they were yer actual fish things.



dr del

All aquatic snakes lay their eggs on land.

Keeping them in the tank should be no harder than keeping an eel or loach in.. tight fitting lid that latches shut.

cool - ta for the info :)



dr del

Here you go
http://aquaticpredators.com/forums/i...howtopic=16102