Alternatives To Spiny Eels

[Amunet]

Alrighty, so getting a bit concerned that getting some peacock eels for our tank isn't a good idea w/ how hard they are to feed.
Watching the fish eat that are already in the tank, it's going to be hard enough trying to feed a BGK.

I know my DH is really wanting to get eels, but hoping I can suggest something else that might be a bit easier to take care of in our tank.

I was looking at maybe Ropefish or bichirs, but I'm not really sure how aggressive either are & how big the other tank inhabitants should be to NOT get eaten.

So any help would be great!

 

[nmonks]

By far the best "eels" are among the loaches. The kuhli loaches are especially good. Places like Wildwoods and Maidenhead Aquatics in Peterborough get in the species Pangio anguillaris, which is not at all like the common kuhli loach, and at up to 10 cm, they're pretty impressive beasts.

Another genus of loach, Vaillantella, includes some very nifty fish. They're up to about 15 cm in length, and in some cases rather pretty as well. Vaillantella maassi for example has a lovely orange band that runs along its back. They aren't difficult to keep, provided there's nothing nippy in the tank (they have long tail fins, hence the common name, "fork-tail loach"). In quiet, planted tanks they can do very well indeed.

Cheers, Neale

 

[Amunet]

Thanks nmonks
I was thinking about loaches as well, but not sure if DH would want more which is why I was looking at the bichirs and ropefish.
The ones you mentioned though look pretty great
I've only ever seen the more common ones sold around here, but I'm sure the LFS could special order if we asked.