Eel Questions ????

[troutfly]

I have a question for those who might know anything about this one. I heard about a Black Leopard Eel. Is it fresh water or brackish? How big do they get ? Has anyone ever owned one ? Do you have any info on them ?

 

[CFC]

The only "leopard" eel i know of is Gymnothorax polyuranodon which is a brackish/marine moray eel. They reach lengths of about 3 feet and are quite rare in the trade.

 

[troutfly]

Thanks CFC - as always you're there for answers...

I saw where they are saying that they are "fresh water" and get about 2 feet in length, I was wondering because I want to add an eel to my tank to round it off so I am looking for one. I was thinking of a "fresh water snowflake" but have noticed they need "small levels" of salt, well I have 2 placos and a BGK in there so I can forget that idea. I don't know if a spiney eel would work, any sugestions on a smaller eel would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dwarfs]

A peacock eel could work, they max out at around 8" and are full freshwater

 

[CFC]

Thanks CFC - as always you're there for answers...

I saw where they are saying that they are "fresh water" and get about 2 feet in length, I was wondering because I want to add an eel to my tank to round it off so I am looking for one. I was thinking of a "fresh water snowflake" but have noticed they need "small levels" of salt, well I have 2 placos and a BGK in there so I can forget that idea. I don't know if a spiney eel would work, any sugestions on a smaller eel would be greatly appreciated.

"Freshwater" Snowflake morays, aka Gymnothorax tile is another brackish/marine eel. The levels of salt needed are far from small with adult snowflakes needing the SG to be at least 1.010 and up as high as 1.022. There is no species of moray eel that can live extended periods of time in fresh or lightly brackish waters.

If you want a eel then one of the Mastacembelus "spiney" eels is your best bet. Peacock eels (as suggested) are the easiest to house of these with a adult size of around a foot, tyre track and fire eels can both reach sizes closer to 3 feet.

At all costs avoid tulip and swamp eels which are extreem predators that will quickly decimate a community tank of even large fish.

 

[troutfly]

Thanks guys, I'll look into it.....

 

[Paul_MTS]

i'ved also seen the swap/tullip eels lablled as caesillian worms.

 

[CFC]

really!! wow that is VERY bad since caesillian worms are not even fish but actually amphibians.

 

[Paul_MTS]

opps my bad then, i thought it was another common name for the eels.

spotted them on Trimar and assumed it was the tullip eel