So you want a swamp eel

[jjohnwm]

I agree in the late 70's I worked in a pet department and the manager would order them sometimes. They were labeled as Marbled Eels. They were very difficult to handle and escaped easily.
One of my favorite fish magazines when there was no internet. Info on behavior and foods to feed them.
https://www.tfhdigital.com/tfh/nov_...cle.action?articleId=1448788#articleId1448788

I was also a huge fan of TFH back in the day (even more so of FAMA), but that very general article gives me pause. The author comments that swamp eels have spiny fin rays, whereas true anguillid eels do not. I'm not sure what he is talking about exactly; Anguillid eels at least have visible fins, with visible soft rays in them, whereas swamp eels seem much more worm-like or amphibian-like and really don't show anything like the typical structure we call "fins", just tiny flaps of skin running lengthwise along the body where one would expect dorsal, caudal and anal fins. No spines that I was ever able to see or feel. Really, the two groups don't even resemble each other that much. Anguillids look like long skinny fish; swamp eels don't look fish-like at all.

I think there might be some editing errors there?

Good call on the observation regarding current, by Fishman Dave referencing this upcoming tank set-up. Not sure how you manage to remember all those carefully-laid-out plans and elaborate schemes that MTS has for these tanks; I have enough trouble remembering what's in my own tanks...

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Thanks everyone. Doesn't seem like either is a good choice in the end.
The swamp eel is as mentioned here too predatory, and after a little more research on peacock eels, it looks like they might not be trainable enough off frozen food. Current wasn't something I was too concerned over, since I've had success making a mix of flowing and calm areas with the pumps I use.

Ultimately, these were intended as substitutes for the kuhli loaches I was originally planning (since the clown loaches were trying to eat them). The first things that came to mind were weather loaches (but they are too prone to bacterial infections) and peppered loaches (which I haven't seen for sale anywhere).
Since those were both off the table, I thought I might try a kuhli-like bottom dweller of the non-loach part of this subforum?

And I'm with tlindsey and jjohnwm that I'm also a TFH fan. My personal favorite article (although it is in 2 parts) is the following. To the surprise of literally no one.

Tropical Loach Species of the Orient | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine

The author observes the many beautiful, playful, & intelligent loach species available in the hobby, explaining the differing degrees of suitability for the home aquarium.

www.tfhmagazine.com

Loaches of the Orient: Botia striata and More | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine

Loaches are the jesters of the aquarium hobby. These are some of the neatest species.

www.tfhmagazine.com

 

[jjohnwm]

Swamp eels as a substitute for kuhli loaches???

That sounds like the equivalent of being unable to find Red-spotted Newts...and then deciding to go with alligators as a the next best thing...

 

[esoxlucius]

Swamp eels as a substitute for kuhli loaches???

That sounds like the equivalent of being unable to find Red-spotted Newts...and then deciding to go with alligators as a the next best thing...

Don't get him going on alligators for crying out loud, you'd probably need a 2.2 kilometer long tank or summat, lol.

 

[jjohnwm]

Don't get him going on alligators for crying out loud, you'd probably need a 2.2 kilometer long tank or summat, lol.

Ya know, Esox, considering the increasing frequency with which you are causing me to squirt coffee out of my nose all over my keyboard for the past couple days, I may be sending you a bill for a new laptop...never mind the burns to my sinuses...

And I want payment in actual worthless Canadian dollars, not pounds or quid or pence or whatever else it is that you use to pay for stuff...

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

That sounds like the equivalent of being unable to find Red-spotted Newts...and then deciding to go with alligators as a the next best thing...

Thank goodness this isn't a reptile/amphibian enclosure then! Or else everything else would become alligator food, lol!

In all seriousness, the first thing on my mind when it came to the substitute was ensuring the substitute couldn't be eaten like the kuhli loaches almost were.

Don't get him going on alligators for crying out loud, you'd probably need a 2.2 kilometer long tank or summat, lol.

I know diddly squat about alligators, but that does sound like something I'd go with if I did want one

With all these jokes, my sides are falling off from laughter?
No coffee out the nose though, but I wonder if JJ squirted out more after reading this!

 

[esoxlucius]

I wonder if JJ squirted out more after reading this!

He's always squirting out from somewhere! unfortunately for him it's when he's least expecting it, it's his age you see, lol.

 

[jjohnwm]

He's always squirting out from somewhere! unfortunately for him it's when he's least expecting it, it's his age you see, lol.

Hey! Watch it!

I am pleased to inform you that I have the sphincter control of a man 9/10th's my age...

 

[Fishman Dave]

I love these things that keep track…….loosely ….. and make me smile…….lots.

Good call on the observation regarding current, by .avatar--xss { width: 21px; height: 21px; line-height: 21px !important; margin-right: 2px; } Fishman Dave @Fishman Dave referencing this upcoming tank set-up. Not sure how you manage to remember all those carefully-laid-out plans and elaborate schemes that MTS has for these tanks; I have enough trouble remembering what's in my own tanks...

Too many years of looking after over twenty tanks and a bad habit of buying on impulse something that will go in none of them!
I regret every purchase I make…….. but not in front of my wife!
That and M MultipleTankSyndrome ‘s enthusiasm makes me feel like one of my kids actually understood me and gets my hobby or should I say lifestyle !
Keeping the on track bit, why not Garra ruffa or some similar active nutter to take over the essence of the Kooli loach.
As for you esoxlucius , be careful who you are calling old, every day I feel I am getting two days nearer jjohnwm ‘s age and with all his ability to make us smile I swear he gets younger every day. No doubt I’ll be on your golden oldie list soon and he will be off it!
We’ll be using bit coin exclusively over here soon for anyone who doesn’t own shares in an energy company as the old farthing will be worth more than the pound soon.

I never really thought about getting an alligator ……………….. mmmmm I’m sure I have another grow on tank somewhere!

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Garra rufa is something that could be tried for sure. I'm not entirely sure if the chalceus also planned for that tank can be trusted to not eat them, but the separate swimming levels of each ought to help the chances of them getting along.