22in Fire Eel HELP! Haven't Seen It Eat Over A Year!

[piranhaman00]

If you are super worried, and just want confirmation set up a video camera at an angle where you can see the whole tank and what the eel is doing (probably a bit of a downward shot). Then just put in some food and leave. Review the footage later. You can speed up the playback quite a bit and still know what is going on, just slowing back to normal speed when you think you see eating.

I think that the eel being alive is confirmation enough

Just giving the OP a hard time



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[Kolossus]

I think that the eel being alive is confirmation enough

Just giving the OP a hard time



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LOL. I know this entire thread may seem silly...But most times I feed, I observe the tank he's in until all the food is gone (at least it appears that way). There is a lot of open space aside from his little rock cave in which he often shares with an 18in endli, and I can see pretty vividly where he is. It makes sense that he has to be eating something. But what? And if he is eating, why does he never eat when I spot feed, in the dark, or any other time I'm observing him...which is very often? Still racks my brain...

 

[fwprawn]

Take the other fish out - put some food in - and see if it disappears.

 

[xraycer]

lol if it did not eat for a year it would be dead and certainly not thick. You are just not seeing it eat

Back during my college days (early 90's), I'd read an article about starvation experiments with eels and the record was something mind-blowing like 7 years.

But I have to agree, if its plump after a year, its been eating

 

[noelsfishland]

I think he is definitely eating but probably food left in tank when lights go out,so I would try feeding at night when you turn the lights out and I bet that you will see him fatten up and maybe get used to regualar feeding once he builds up his apatite.Try frozen blood worms mine go crazy for them

 

[piranhaman00]

Back during my college days (early 90's), I'd read an article about starvation experiments with eels and the record was something mind-blowing like 7 years.

But I have to agree, if its plump after a year, its been eating

No way..really? That is really crazy. They would have to go dormant or something of the sort first wouldn't
they?

And OP, there are other very interesting stories I read on here about people not even seeing there eels ( maybe not fire eels but similar situation) for years and only discover it after removing its hiding place.


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[Kolossus]

Take the other fish out - put some food in - and see if it disappears.

I've tried that...but it may be worth trying again.

Thanks!

Back during my college days (early 90's), I'd read an article about starvation experiments with eels and the record was something mind-blowing like 7 years.

But I have to agree, if its plump after a year, its been eating

WOW! 7 years is crazy!

I think he is definitely eating but probably food left in tank when lights go out,so I would try feeding at night when you turn the lights out and I bet that you will see him fatten up and maybe get used to regualar feeding once he builds up his apatite.Try frozen blood worms mine go crazy for them

I've tried that so many times...but it may be worth trying again. I've also tried blood worms and black worms and nothing.

No way..really? That is really crazy. They would have to go dormant or something of the sort first wouldn't
they?

And OP, there are other very interesting stories I read on here about people not even seeing there eels ( maybe not fire eels but similar situation) for years and only discover it after removing its hiding place.


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I have changed up his hiding place when I've redesigned the tank. His hiding place enables me to see him completely though and I still haven't witnessed him eating.

I will attempt all of your suggestions again and keep everyone posted. Thanks for all of your comments and advice. I appreciate it.

LJ

 

[fwprawn]

The 7 year experiment is probably something done with lungfish, not an eel.

 

[xraycer]

The 7 year experiment is probably something done with lungfish, not an eel.

I have no recollection of the species, but article definitely said eel, not lung fish.

 

[BASSTIAN182]

I find this very interesting, I have had 4 fire eels over the past 3 years , and have lost 3 out of the 4 to finding a way out of completely covered tanks. And when I say completely covered, I mean what I literally thought there was no way out. Oh yea, if there is no way out, they will find one. The one I have left was the first one I bought, which strangely enough he also got out of the tank, and I found him dried up and stuck to the carpet, but to my astonishment still barely breathing. I held his dried body with hair and carpet fibers stuck to it over a bubbler for 2 hours, and here it is 3 years later and he eats jumbo bloodworms out of my hand every day. Can't imagine anything going a year without food, this story is baffling, but so is a dried up eel stuck to the carpet who is still alive and thriving today.