Spiny eels

[fishlover87]

Hello all hope.everyone is well need some help I have a custom tank l 94 w63 d 60
Stock is African leopard bush fish African knife 2 kirbs and I hope still there a twig catfish but haven't seen it for months and no body also recently bought a black spotted eel wanted for a while

My question is has anyone had these fish before how big do they get and what's everyone's experience with them I have tried researching online but all I can find is wild information I know in the wild they can get to 50 cm but the shop told.me average about 30 in the aquarium as much info as possible please I got it from warf aquatics and been told they are really good and know their stuff in fact one of the best he has been in a day and had him taking food from me same day earth worms bought from same place he is settling quite well I was worried due to 5 hour drive and managed to get out the bag while.i was acclimating him but all good so far sorry for.long post more.info is always better

 

[tlindsey]

Hello all hope.everyone is well need some help I have a custom tank l 94 w63 d 60
Stock is African leopard bush fish African knife 2 kirbs and I hope still there a twig catfish but haven't seen it for months and no body also recently bought a black spotted eel wanted for a while

My question is has anyone had these fish before how big do they get and what's everyone's experience with them I have tried researching online but all I can find is wild information I know in the wild they can get to 50 cm but the shop told.me average about 30 in the aquarium as much info as possible please I got it from warf aquatics and been told they are really good and know their stuff in fact one of the best he has been in a day and had him taking food from me same day earth worms bought from same place he is settling quite well I was worried due to 5 hour drive and managed to get out the bag while.i was acclimating him but all good so far sorry for.long post more.info is always better

Welcome aboard
Tbh I don't have any experience with the black spotted eel. Hopefully someone will chime in with experience with the eel specie.

 

[fishlover87]

Welcome aboard
Tbh I don't have any experience with the black spotted eel. Hopefully someone will chime in with experience with the eel specie.

Ok thank you I'm hoping so as well information on Google isnt very helpful lots of info on them in the wild but not captive I posted on another forum but had very contradicting reports and 1 even say non of my fish should be in the tank as it's too small even tho the tank is over sized for the fish

 

[tlindsey]

Ok thank you I'm hoping so as well information on Google isnt very helpful lots of info on them in the wild but not captive I posted on another forum but had very contradicting reports and 1 even say non of my fish should be in the tank as it's too small even tho the tank is over sized for the fish

I believe you have a spiny eel species mastacembelus dayi. Tagging a member who may have experience.
kno4te

 

[fishlover87]

I believe you have a spiny eel species mastacembelus dayi. Tagging a member who may have experience.
kno4te

Thank you yes that is the species black spotted is the common name I believe but you are right mastacembelus dayi is the scientific name for them

 

[kno4te]

I believe you have a spiny eel species mastacembelus dayi. Tagging a member who may have experience.
kno4te

Thank you yes that is the species black spotted is the common name I believe but you are right mastacembelus dayi is the scientific name for them

Yes. Should be and most likely dayi.

 

[fishlover87]

Yes. Should be and most likely dayi.

I'm after expertise from people who have kept them and advice on current stock if you can help?

 

[kno4te]

I'm after expertise from people who have kept them and advice on current stock if you can help?

Sure. I’ve kept a few in the past. Would keep some hideouts for the eel. Keep the tank covered. Would avoid aggressive tankmates. Keep nitrates below 20ppm. Try and get it on varied diet. Soak foods in vitamin supplement if eating one type of food staple.

 

[Ogertron3000]

Keep the tank VERY well covered, if there is a pinprick sized ho;le in the lid they will somehow find it and jump through it.
You will wake up to a crisp eel on the floor.

 

[fishlover87]

Sure. I’ve kept a few in the past. Would keep some hideouts for the eel. Keep the tank covered. Would avoid aggressive tankmates. Keep nitrates below 20ppm. Try and get it on varied diet. Soak foods in vitamin supplement if eating one type of food staple.

Ok how big have you had them get and thank you for the info current tank mates are bushfish 2 kirbs and a knife fish the brown knife