What is the minimum tank size for a Fire Eel?

[BCherdingthefish]

What's the minimum recommended tank size?

I'm getting a 100 gallon this weekend, 5' long, 16" wide, 24" tall. Would this be too small for a Fire Eel for life?
If yes, up to what size could he be in there? I'd love to get one within the next couple weeks and then upgrade when it gets too big...which leads to my next question,

What's their growth rate? I've heard they only grow around 8" per year, is this true?

Thanks!


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[Loves severums]

They grow a 1" every month and they need a 300gallon. They can get up to 40"+

 

[white15]

Usually they grow about 20", in a very large tank they become even bigger. I'd say you want a 6-8 foot long aquarium.

 

[filio]

I have a 180g tank. My fire eel got too big for it.
Here's an old video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x12QdBtVZdA&list=UUvC-AiNaymb7v3zKV5c1tPQ&index=6&feature=plcp

 

[Loves severums]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...390229-one-of-the-biggest-fire-eels-out-there

 

[BCherdingthefish]

So how long do you think one would be okay in a 100 gallon? 5ft long


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[Loves severums]

So how long do you think one would be okay in a 100 gallon? 5ft long


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not long I would say 3 year would be the max. If u got him at a small size..

 

[BCherdingthefish]

not long I would say 3 year would be the max. If u got him at a small size..

Okay perfect, that gives me plenty of time
How do you think they'd be with an Oscar?


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[Loves severums]

Okay perfect, that gives me plenty of time
How do you think they'd be with an Oscar?


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Fine as long as the eels can't get eaten..

 

[MonsterMinis]

a 75 lasted mine approx 1.5 yrs... and I was pushing it.. doing 50% WC's 2x a week or more. Oscars and cichlids in generally are bad combos with fire eels. and a 100 w/ an oscar and a fire eel unless you "really know what your doing" is a disaster asking to happen. Fire eels are not aggressive fish in general, they do well with non-aggressive fish. footprint is more important then hight or length in general. Long term you'll need a min 180.. but as already pointed out may need to go larger. They are also a challenging fish to keep. I did keep my fires with an Oscar when they where younger.. and they did nothing but hide all day long... once the O's where removed and my gar took their spot they where out and about all the time.

feeding them a diet of frozen bloodworms and nothing else will give you a 24" fire eel in 3yrs... a very stunted (unhealthy) fish.

You shuold get a YoY growth of 12"+ the first year then they slow down my biggest one hit 20" at 1.5yrs and thats when I lost them.. the smallest was pushing 16" at the time. They are a true delight to own and I plan on owning more in the next few years ( when I can get a 300gal) But they do get massive.