Anyone keep TRUE eels in freshwater?

Gymnothorax Polyuranadon. You should be able to find a lot of information on them here. If it weren't for mine my 75 gal setups wouldn't be running right now lpl

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What documentary was that? I'd like to watch it.


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A documentary called The Mystery of Eels on PBS. The op is referring to, Anguilla rostrata. The American eel.





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davenmandy said:

Gymnothorax Polyuranadon. You should be able to find a lot of information on them here. If it weren't for mine my 75 gal setups wouldn't be running right now lpl

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+1 I have a small 10" 1 in pure fw. They are amazingly stunning wels and they are found in both fresh and saltwater.


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The American eel can be kept in freshwater. There are a few folks on here that have, or had, them. You'll need a tight fitting cover as they are great at escaping.

I am on the lookout for a european eel. Have seen one or two members here keep American eels.

Quo Vadis said:

Thanks for the info on the Polyuranadon! Does anyone keep the American eel?

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Yes I keep one I've had for about 9 months now, but he constantly goes "missing" and I rarely ever see him as he likes to dig in the substrate. But very cool looking when I do get to see him.


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Quo Vadis said:

I was watching a documentary on Netflix about true eels, and realized that unlike most species that migrate between Saltwater and Freshwater, eels spend theirs entire adult life in Freshwater, only living the ocean as larvae and then going back years later to breed. So it seems based on this life cycle they could be kept in freshwater setups, though obviously they could not breed. But I had heard that most "freshwater" eels (not so called [spiny] "eels") sold in the fish trade, such as snowflake eels (not the SW variety), are in reality brackish.

So are there any true eel species sold that can be kept in Freshwater? They are such fascinating fish!

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I believe that Anguilla Rostrata is one of these types of Eels that you describe.

They are damn near impossible to kill. FFS they cost $1.90 (One dollar and ninety cents US$) at bait shops. In general they are kept live in refrigerators wrapped in cloth soaked in fresh water.

I currently have one that escaped from the holding tank early AM on a day of a Chesapeake rockfish excursion last summer. I did not have time to collect the 12th eel so I just left it on the carpet under the tank stand where it slithered. I went to chuck it out the next day, but it wasn't dead, so I through it back it the holding tank. It has doubled in size (now around 14") since last summer and is a fantastic tankmate with a redfin Pickerel.