Spiny Eel Not Feeding

[piper]

I bought two of these eels a 11 days ago. The larger one of the two seems to be doing okay but the smaller one looks like he hasent been eating. He is very skinney looking and I was wondering if there is any foods they will really like.

Tryed:
Live and frozen blood worm
Frozen Daphina and Artemia
Lobster eggs
Frozen Tubifex

I currentley have mollies in my quarantine/hosptial tank so cant move him out of my main tank; could but him in a breeding net?

any help

 

[RadaR]

Have you checked your water stats? What size is the tank? Is there hiding places and decor to make him feel secure?
I wouldnt move him unless he was being bullied or couldnt get to the food without the other Eel getting it first.
Might be wise to find out what he was eating at the store.

 

[piper]

its a 70Gal tank with:

6 Parti Pentazona Barbs
11 Cardinal Tetras
4 Otocinclus
4 Fake Corydoras Julii
6 Boeseman's Rainbowfish
1 RTBS
1 Angel Fish (small)
2 Barred Spiny Eel (MACROGNATHUS PANCALUS)

I'm filtering with two Eheim 2026 External Filters, did have a fluval 4 as well but the eels didn't like the high flow rate. Stats are good 0,0,40.

The Rainbows do take an interest in the eels but not enough to warrent them not eatin. The tank is full of bog wood so plenty of hidding places. The larger one swims in the open so must feel comfortable. Although I have never seen the larger one eat either

 

[Fate2006]

try defrosting some bloodworms, suck em up into a syrnge and shoot them out right infront of the skinny eel... mabye he'll bite?

 

[Fella]

If you want spiny eels who are reluctant to feed to eat, you need to use earthworms.

I'd be concerned about his ability to compete in a tank with those fish in though.

 

[nmonks]

Firstly, spiny eels are nocturnal. So for a couple of decent sized (15 cm) specimens you should be putting half a cube of frozen bloodworms in the tank AT NIGHT. This is when they'll eat.

Secondly, as Fella says, spiny eels aren't great at competing with catfish or loaches. If you can remove the catfish to another tank, at least for a few weeks, you will at least be able to get the eels feeding. Once the eels are settled, they will feed during the day, and you can watch they're getting enough.

Earthworms are their favorite thing in the world.

Cheers, Neale

If you want spiny eels who are reluctant to feed to eat, you need to use earthworms.

I'd be concerned about his ability to compete in a tank with those fish in though.

 

[Canis-Equus]

In my experience they will also struggle to compete with fast little fish like tetras for food - my peacock eel really struggles to the point where ive devised a feeding trap for him that other fish either cant, or wont enter.

Feed after lights out, distract other fish with other food, feed only sinking food and ive found, feeding red coloured food is good.


Or get lucky adn get an 'ellis' (dunno what species eel he is), who eats anything and everything from bloodworm, cockles, mussels, large prawns and shrimp to attempting to eat a common plec.......

Em