Congresox Talabonoides, (indian Pike Conger).....

kewskills

PM me if you want anything.
Joined
May 1, 2007
Messages
3,175
Reaction score
0
Well i know they can get to 2.5 meters in the wild, any info about any kept in a home aquaria setup would be greatly appreciated.

Any and all info welcome.

Cheers
 
I don't know this species so can't comment from personal experience.

Given its taxonomic standing within the Anguilliformes, I'd expect it to be hardy, aggressive, predatory, and very likely to escape. Basic maintenance is likely to be similar to morays. I'd assume that it required mid to high end brackish conditions, or marine conditions, to do well; SG 1.010 or more.

Fishbase reports that it is nocturnal, feeding on benthic fish and crustaceans, so feeding shouldn't be difficult.

Unlikely it will reach its maximum size in captivity. Even those marine morays that can live for 10-20 years in captivity don't reach their maximum size (see zebra morays for example). Still, even putting aside its long, thin shape this beastie will require a fairly big aquarium with lots of hiding places and good filtration.

Cheers, Neale

Well i know they can get to 2.5 meters in the wild, any info about any kept in a home aquaria setup would be greatly appreciated.
 
Cheers Neale for the info, just out of interest what do you consider "a fairly big aquarium", i would estimate that this will possibly reach 5' what is your thoughts.


I don't know this species so can't comment from personal experience.

Given its taxonomic standing within the Anguilliformes, I'd expect it to be hardy, aggressive, predatory, and very likely to escape. Basic maintenance is likely to be similar to morays. I'd assume that it required mid to high end brackish conditions, or marine conditions, to do well; SG 1.010 or more.

Fishbase reports that it is nocturnal, feeding on benthic fish and crustaceans, so feeding shouldn't be difficult.

Unlikely it will reach its maximum size in captivity. Even those marine morays that can live for 10-20 years in captivity don't reach their maximum size (see zebra morays for example). Still, even putting aside its long, thin shape this beastie will require a fairly big aquarium with lots of hiding places and good filtration.

Cheers, Neale

Well i know they can get to 2.5 meters in the wild, any info about any kept in a home aquaria setup would be greatly appreciated.
 
Eels generally aren't terribly active, and are more interested in rock work than swimming space. So I'd expect 250 litres/55 UK gallons to be ample. Do provide lots and lots of rocks though: drive up to your local Homebase and fill the car up with granite and slates! I like to use their "green granite" in my tanks. It's not expensive, and for a budget of £30-50 you can get a lot of rocks, and with a bit of algae they look really nice in fish tanks (couple of pics here). Some plastic plants would provide some shade, and plain vanilla silica sand, perhaps mixed 4:1 with coral sand, would make a nice friable substrate that the eel can root about it.

Cheers, Neale

Cheers Neale for the info, just out of interest what do you consider "a fairly big aquarium", i would estimate that this will possibly reach 5' what is your thoughts.
 
Thanks again Neale,
Wow i would have thought that a much larger aquarium would have been needed. guess my two Gymnothorax Tiles are spoilt then.
I shall have to give it some very serious thought now that I definitely know i could easily house them.

Cheers, Karl


Eels generally aren't terribly active, and are more interested in rock work than swimming space. So I'd expect 250 litres/55 UK gallons to be ample. Do provide lots and lots of rocks though: drive up to your local Homebase and fill the car up with granite and slates! I like to use their "green granite" in my tanks. It's not expensive, and for a budget of £30-50 you can get a lot of rocks, and with a bit of algae they look really nice in fish tanks (couple of pics here). Some plastic plants would provide some shade, and plain vanilla silica sand, perhaps mixed 4:1 with coral sand, would make a nice friable substrate that the eel can root about it.

Cheers, Neale
 
Get it. It will be an impressive beast when bigger.

They look awesome even at the size they are now.

You will need bigger tonges for this one ;)
 
Kick Ass! A Pike Conger! :drool: OMG were did you get it! Awesome! I did not no any of the pike congers turned up in the pet trade. You are very lucky. Bit curious about how it would fit in 55 gallons. A moray of its size would be comfortable but I am not sure about a pike conger. I imagine that they are similar to true freshwater eels and snake eels in that they never coil up. Looking at this species it appears it could burrow. A burrowing eel at this size would need a larger tank with a deep sand bed. I had an awesome burrowing snake eel once but my crazy parents killed it because my grades were to bad. Now I keep fish that bite so their hands cannot go in the tank!
 
I have not got one, but my LFS has 2 of them for sale, they look absolutely stunnng, they are only about 12-14" at then moment.

Had a long hard thought about it, and to be honest I don't think i will get one. I am unsure of exactly how big it will get and i may be unable to house it correctly if it does get to 6'+ which is possible and would not be fair to the fish. Shame really.

Cheers everyone for the advice.

Karl
 
I've been eyeing those up too but like yourself lack the space should they reach anywhere near full adult size, i'd expect 5 foot in captivity and thats a lot of fish to house even when eel shaped, still i haven't completely given the idea up yet :shifty:
 

Most reactions

Back
Top