Tyre (Tire?) Track Eels

[Shovelman]

Was wondering if anyone has this species and if a 75 gallon with soft sand bottom would be suitable tank for one? (sharing a tank with freshwater archer fish)

 

[Hunterprey]

Never kept one of these but I believe it gets bigger than the Fire Eel, so I would think 75 gallon would not be ideal. Sorry mate. Im looking for a spiny eel myself, Have a look @ Black Spotted spiny Eel, might be more suitable.

 

[Shovelman]

Never kept one of these but I believe it gets bigger than the Fire Eel, so I would think 75 gallon would not be ideal. Sorry mate. Im looking for a spiny eel myself, Have a look @ Black Spotted spiny Eel, might be more suitable.

Oh no problem! Thanks for the tip as ive always read that seemed to say that fire eels grew larger, probably wrong as you said. I know there are a couple of other smaller species available, but ill take a look at the one you mentioned!

 

[Shovelman]

Wow Mastacembelus dayi is a gorgeous spiny eel! Thanks for telling me about them! Do you know what size they max out at? Some say 12" some say 20" ..... >.>

 

[Hunterprey]

Wow Mastacembelus dayi is a gorgeous spiny eel! Thanks for telling me about them! Do you know what size they max out at? Some say 12" some say 20" ..... >.>

No problem. Biggest I heard is a 20" but 75 gallon will probably a good size home for them. I saw one @ my LFS once, I should have grabbed it when I had the chance, I had smaller tank back then thats why I didnt.

 

[simonas]

tyre tracks do get very large and have a massive girth when adult. When I bought my 21 inch fire eel the guy had a 24 inch tyre track that was so thick it was untrue. That being siad it would take it a long time to get to anywhere near that size and a 75 g would suit for a good while if you could provide a bigger tank and if not I;d take it off your hands hah a

 

[Shovelman]

tyre tracks do get very large and have a massive girth when adult. When I bought my 21 inch fire eel the guy had a 24 inch tyre track that was so thick it was untrue. That being siad it would take it a long time to get to anywhere near that size and a 75 g would suit for a good while if you could provide a bigger tank and if not I;d take it off your hands hah a

hahaha, i just think they look like awesome fish!Btw read your thread on your new fire eel and he's awesome!

By any chance do you guys know if the black spotted spiny eel grows larger around as well (girth)? orr do they stay skinny like a rope fish?

 

[Shovelman]

well i have been sending Neale Monks emails this whole week through wet web media (probably the most informative site on fish on the entire web, not to mention they answer questions really fast and are ALWAYS helpful!) and was asking him all about the archer/spiny eel 75 gallon tank that i plan to set up soon, and i inquired about keeping a tire track eel in the 75 gallon (fine silica sand bottom) with the archer fish. He said it was fine (maybe i read the email wrong?) but im just not quite sure.. as far as fish the eel would be the only bottom dweller with the archers being the mid and top water fish (which is also good since this will make competition and feeding for the eel easier) ....anyone else have any thoughts?

Also called my lfs, and the guy who i know (works there) and has talked me out of some bad ideas when i started this hobby said a 75 is good for a tire track and the archers.

 

[Hunterprey]

I suggest just give it a try and you can decide for yourself eventually as they mature. I never really kept a TireTrack Eel but read about a guy with a 34" Tire Track from another forum. Theyre very flexible, just Im not sure having that size fish in a 4ft tank is a good idea.

Im that type of guy that will get the type of fish I want even when my tank is not big enough for a full grown and will figure out something later thats why I went from a 4ft to 6ft tank for my Datnoid. You might do the same eventually as you get more attached to your fish. Of course the Bigger the tank the better. IME its better to get the fish that you want rather than an alternative, in my case I know my LFS will take it back or I'll get a bigger tank if the its worth it. I did the latter

 

[Shovelman]

I suggest just give it a try and you can decide for yourself eventually as they mature. I never really kept a TireTrack Eel but read about a guy with a 34" Tire Track from another forum. Theyre very flexible, just Im not sure having that size fish in a 4ft tank is a good idea.

Im that type of guy that will get the type of fish I want even when my tank is not big enough for a full grown and will figure out something later thats why I went from a 4ft to 6ft tank for my Datnoid. You might do the same eventually as you get more attached to your fish. Of course the Bigger the tank the better. IME its better to get the fish that you want rather than an alternative, in my case I know my LFS will take it back or I'll get a bigger tank if the its worth it. I did the latter

True, as i trust my lfs very much, as they have helped and been reliable. They always take fish in need of a home or for a home (they had a HUGE fire eel one week and sold it in 10 days i think) So if re homing was needed it wouldn't be a problem if my eel was getting stressed, then again i might have my own apartment by the time the eel grows too big if that's the case but i haven't heard of too many of them getting over 30" if even 26" max usually...