View Full Version : freshwater eels
snjets
08-24-2006, 8:05 PM
can anyone give me an idea for a freshwater eel that eats minnows or goldfish
IMFishHead
08-24-2006, 8:20 PM
Plain old American eel, found just about anywhere, or even in bait shops for like $1.25 I have one living in my native tank with a sunny for over 3 years, I feed him mostly pieces of thawed shrimp! Pic sucks but here he is .
hybrid_tilapia
08-25-2006, 10:31 PM
american eel their really fun to have
ZOO YORK 207
08-25-2006, 10:45 PM
are they coldwater or warmwater?
IMFishHead
08-26-2006, 9:03 AM
COLD water! American Eels are unique because they are one of the few fish that are catadromous. This means they spend most of their lives in fresh water, but return to the sea to breed.
Mine is in 100% freshwater room tempeture can tolerate alot! Needs frequent water changes. Tank must be sealed well. They are escape artists.
LIFE HISTORY: Adult American eels migrate to the Sargasso Sea, a calm area in the southeast section of the Atlantic Ocean, to spawn and then probably die. After hatching, young eels migrate toward North America and enter freshwater systems to mature. Male eels remain near river mouths or in brackish water, but the females migrate upriver until they run into an impassable object. While in fresh water, eels are secretive and hide in deep pools around cover and then feed during the night. Adult eels primarily eat fish or crayfish, but will feed upon anything they find. Females spend between 5 and 20 years in freshwater.
ADULT SIZE: Male eels grow to about 18 inches, but females can reach up to 52 inches in length.
messiner
08-26-2006, 11:07 AM
polypterus
JD7.62
08-26-2006, 12:05 PM
polypterus
Bichirs arent eels.....are they?
Fish Room Plus
08-26-2006, 12:47 PM
Plain old American eel, found just about anywhere, or even in bait shops for like $1.25 I have one living in my native tank with a sunny for over 3 years, I feed him mostly pieces of thawed shrimp! Pic sucks but here he is .
We use them to fish for Stripers & Blues
messiner
08-26-2006, 1:19 PM
Bichirs arent eels.....are they?
very "eel like" in appearence.
Plain old American eel, found just about anywhere, or even in bait shops for like $1.25 I have one living in my native tank with a sunny for over 3 years, I feed him mostly pieces of thawed shrimp! Pic sucks but here he is .
Wanna send some of those "bait eels" out this way??? I never see them out in here california.....:nilly:
fisher12889
09-03-2006, 10:39 PM
I had a baby one for awhile, in with an oscar and other various tropical fish. It was neat to have until my oscar thought it looked like a tasty noodle.....
paintboi101
09-04-2006, 1:15 AM
ahh iwant a eel lol
mastacembelus species are also freshwater, the armatus can help u get rid of some small fish if u want
guppy
09-24-2006, 10:19 PM
American eels are one of my favorite fish, they play with things in the tank and learn to be hand fed, they are great escape artists though so putting latches on the tank lid is a good idea.
I agree with NOOT. Mastecebeliid eels are very interesting fish, and the larger one's I've had (armatus included) will eat almost any living thing that comes within reach when hungry. They're fun to watch, too. Deceptively quick when pursuing prey. Most can be hand fed once they're used to you and their surroundings. They are (however) great escape artists like most "eels", so care should be taken with openings in the tank. I personally use hand-cut pieces of styrofoam to block the holes in the top of my acrylic tank where my heater and filter tubes go.
On a side note, I just bought a small (7.5") specimen at my local Petco that was being sold as a tire track eel (for 12.99 no less), but looks a little more like a juvenile dayi to me.
Sorry for the long post, but the spiny eels are a particular favorite of mine.
guppy
09-26-2006, 10:38 PM
These are not exactly eels but are very cool and eel-like. Amphiumas or congo eels. actually fully aquatic and predatory amphibians, if interested do a forum search for "congo eels" in the "reptile and other pets" forum for a link to a place that sells them cheap.
Monopterus alba (rice paddy eel might also suit you. they are good in tropical temps.
tampeloeris
12-11-2006, 11:02 AM
hey guys, i had a cold water european eel in my tank, untill my pike dicovered it. was a nice fight of about 10 min, and i got it on film. i'll post it very soon
gekkehenkie
12-11-2006, 11:30 AM
Sweet Bro, i wanne see that fight... it's a pitty that that pike eat your eel cause they taste real nice. plzz post your movie soon on MFK!!