Unusual Peacock Eel Coloration?

[Azaeil]

I've recently aquired a rather active eel today. I've been watching them at the petstore for weeks and finally got the nerve to get one. I happened to spot this fellow with an odd red gradient in his tail section -

So far he's doing well, though I expect my ghost shrimp in this holding tank to disappear soon. Yes I know plastic plants aren't the optimal foliage in there.. They will be replaced with silk plants when I get my next paycheck to fully set up the tank.

I have a male DT betta in there and they've both ignored each other, with the betta being so laid back he doesn't react to the mirror at all. One point he even slipped under the rock shelter I have for the eel, stared at him a moment, and kept swimming right through. The eel is not skittish in the least, investigated my finger for a moment and ignored the blood worm I offered him. Currently he's chilling outside the rock by the heater, and I hope to see him become used to my presence enough to come up for feeding.

 

[Verminator89]

Red colouration to the finnage is usually a sign of high nitrate levels in the water, usually. However, i can't say for certain if thats the case with eels. Certainly with fish its a good indicator.

If it is just an unusual colour for this lil chap then great, looks funky if its genuinly natural.

 

[Azaeil]

Well, he's had it when I got him at the fish store, and he still has it in the cycled tank.. rather amusing when I look in there and I see his spotted red butt sticking out of the gravel in the daytime. He's doing well otherwise, but hasn't taken any food quite yet, at least not that I've seen so I'm hoping he's getting his meals by hunting however remaining ghost shrimp I have in the tank.

 

[Azaeil]

Quick update on the eel (still unnamed) - Just tried feeding him and the other fish - effectiveness - eel at least sniffed at the food and is beginning to associate my hand with food, two of the betta girls caught on quickly after the first confusing dip of food.