What Eel For Community?

[JAY323]

look at my sig what kind of eel can go in my tank not too big.?

 

[cane76]

i think a peacock spiney eel would be ok

 

[Gankutsuou]

I think Not. I'm getting one of those guys.

If you wanna risk your cherry barbs, ottos, glow light tetra, and, depending on size, rams and female betta, then be my guest. But once that sucker is full size, and considering it's a natural predator....

Really I don't think there are eels suited for a community.

I'm getting a 40 long, and I'm getting a senegal, Peacock, considering angels, and giant cories. And once my False Flying fox gets a tad bigger, he'll be all right too...


edit:

My Webpage that article explains that any fish under 3" is not safe, and why
But if you wanna rehome some of your fish, go for it I think it'd be worth it.

 

[cane76]

or just let the eel eat what it can

 

[Gankutsuou]

Hmmmm, considering some fish have certain attributes, I'd reasearch before letting that happen.

For example, how guppys have some chemical that stops chemical production in the immune system of some fish (or something like that)

Anywho, There really are no peaceful eel like fish unless you go brackish and get a dragon goby. Which none of your fish would survive. yay!

 

[JAY323]

ill just get more Kuhilli loaches then


any other eels?

dragon gobys are ugly i dont like them

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

I've got two peacock eels (used to have three) and they are in a tank with lots of fry and platties. They are very calm and I dont see them much at all. I have heard that the more you have, the bolder then will be and come out during the day, but yes, they get pretty big and a 55 gallon is just big enough for one, or so I have been told, when it is full grown. They are awesome to watch, but you are not going to see them much in a community tank since they are shy (at least mine are anyways). I have seen one case of a fire eel in a cichlid tank that got large and was out quite a bit. In fact, I think that video was on this forum.

you also have to consider substrate issues. you cannot have sharp gravel and many people will say that no gravel should be used and sand is the only good option for eels. They bury themselves in the substrate and you will also have to be VERY careful when doing water changes and vaccuming your tank since you could crush the eels.

 

[ringham]

I think Not. I'm getting one of those guys.

If you wanna risk your cherry barbs, ottos, glow light tetra, and, depending on size, rams and female betta, then be my guest. But once that sucker is full size, and considering it's a natural predator....

Really I don't think there are eels suited for a community.

edit:

My Webpage that article explains that any fish under 3" is not safe, and why
But if you wanna rehome some of your fish, go for it I think it'd be worth it.

I disagree with you a lot. Most spineys are perfect community fish.

Hardly an danger at all. Almost laughable. A peacock spiney eel is admitadly a posibility of eating a glow light tetra but I used to keep a 11" peacock spiney with cardinal tetras with no probs. I wouldn't classify a peacock spiney a threat unless you have betta fry. IMO and IME spiney eels are a fantastic personality addition to ANY community, all you have to do is pick the correct eel. Of course a tyre ttrack eel is not acceptable in any way whereas a peacock spiney (IMO) would be a gr8 addition.

JAY323 I think a spiny would be a gr8 choice just be careful no to buy one that is already more than 6-7" (bearing in ming they are pretty skinny, and you need sand).

If your fish start disappearing (this may happen when near fully grown) then you don't have to worry anymore about it eating your fish

I recommend them in highly IME.

 

[cane76]

i agree ringham they can only eat what they can swallow whole and their mouths are small.i have kept 4 eels of different sizes ranging from 4" to 20" in small fish communities with no problems

 

[nmonks]

Spiny eels are predatory, and they will eat smaller fish. But the degree to which they do this obviously varies with size. A 30 cm peacock spiny eel (like Macrognathus siamensis) is likely no better or worse than, say, and angelfish. I personally wouldn't keep one with glowlights and neons, but that's your call. Larger spiny eels can and do eat bigger fish; unfortunately, I have seen a tyre-track eel (Mastacembelus favus) eat adult platies when I foolishly kept them together. I think CFC's comment that only three inch fish are safe is a little over-cautious, but as general advice goes, I wouldn't deny it.

They are the best generic community fish because of their special needs. Research your species carefully, make sure you have sand and floating plants, and if need be, keep them in groups (Macrognathus spp. definitely are happier in groups). The aquarium hood has to be very secure, or the fish will escape. Spiny eels trying to escape from aquariums is a "when" not an "if".

Nice fish though, and worth the effort.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[d3tained]

Zizag Eel

have one in my Com Tank.Doing great.Have to have sand in your tank is it like to burrow.

 

[ringham]

I have always wanted a zigzag eel as these are the only spiney eel that I haven't kept. Could ou post a pic?

Also I am glad tht I am not the only one that think what my previous post said.

 

[cane76]

i had a 5-6"zig zag eel that did not grow at all in a year i had to get rid of it in the end coz my clown knife was gonna eat it