Tank Size

[SherriSixxx]

Hi! I have a tank that's 4ft long (Approx 50-55gals), and at the mo only have 1 common pleco in it, which is 4" long. I am getting 2 common eels (Anguilla Anguilla) which will be about 8" each. Is my tank big enough for these 3 fish? I know 3 is not many, but they all are gonna grow to be huge. I am prepared to buy a bigger tank in the future. When would I approximately need that? I sooo can't wait for my eels

 

[SkiFletch]

I'd imagine the 3 of them would be a little too big, but I'm not a pleco expert. My old one lived for about 10 years though

 

[Fella]

What water requirements do european eels (anguilla anguilla) need? I would have thought they would be coldwater, while the plec would need much warmer water?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Anguila anguilas grow to 5ft long, definatly not suitable for your tank, they also need brackish water instead of freshwater;

http/www.istitutoveneto.it/venezia/divul.../index2e5f.html

Common plecs can also get up to 10-15inchs long, not suitable for your tank realy either as too big depending on your tanks dimensions.
edit: also anguila can live up to 85yrs, so long term investment fish

 

[CFC]

Anguilla anguilla lives happily in freshwater, they are present in nearly every watercourse in Britain and Europe from ponds and lakes to rivers and canals. They are tollerant of temperatures up to 23c which is an average room temperature (Remember they are present in the south of France and southern Spain and Italy where temperatures often reach the low 30s during the summer) which will also be fine for the plec. They are also quite slow growing taking several years to reach sexual maturity (when they migrate to the gulf of mexico to spawn), a 50 gallon tank will be fine to hold the eels for at least a few years, remember eels are not like normal fish which need room to be able to turn in tank, with their flexible backbone as long as the tank is twice the eels length they are fine.

Oh and female Anguilla anguilla can reach over 7 foot long in landlocked waters where they cannot reach the sea to migrate to the spawning grounds.