I'd love a fire eel! They need huge tanks though right?
The upgrade is a definite but again, not for a year.
The upgrade is a definite but again, not for a year.
Aggression - how long to wait to "settle"
- Thread starter magpie
- Start date
Fire eels can reach 30 inches+, but i think you can house them in a 180 or so. With anything though, the more space you can offer the better. I have had my fire eel for 2 years now and it is about 15 inches long. He definitely seems to be slowing down.
I would absolutely love one. I think they're gorgeous and I know they're interactive for eels. I had just written them off due to their length, assuming they'd need more than 200gal.
Mine is currently in a 125 and is happy as can be, comes out and eats from my hand, and even probes my fingers when their is no food... sometimes i get a little nip, but it never hurts so maybe it was playful in nature. Interesting fish to say the least. I only caution when you first get a young eel, make sure you have some caves for it to hide in. I had a terrible time with my first few, they kept stressing to death. This one is calm as can be though.
Here is a fairly poor quality picture... but best i could due given the lighting
View attachment 20161006_212609.jpg
View attachment 20161006_212609.jpg
Fire eels are pretty neat. Are they compatible with bichirs? I dont know too much about them. Glad you got the ropefish though! BUMP FOR PICS
Fire eels are pretty neat. Are they compatible with bichirs? I dont know too much about them. Glad you got the ropefish though! BUMP FOR PICS
It is all a question of size. Bichir are not overly aggressive, just oportunistic and stomach driven. Fire eels likewise are not aggressive, more opportunistic (though mine only eats food i prepare, i have never seen him take a fish, even a little one). Fire eels do not have the girth of a bichir, at least not early on, so it would be preferable to get a slightly larger fire eel. They grow at about the same rate, but fire eels keep growing, obtaining a diameter that is close to that of an adults wrist. I have kept my fire eel with bichirs since i began and have had no issue... well there may have been one encounter but not sure. I saw a curiously shaped scratch on my fire eels face once that looked curiously like the outline of a big ornate mouth, but could not confirm or deny. The ornate currently is about the same size as the fire eel, but there is no indication it isnt working. Been living together for the past 2 years no problems.
I'm camouflaged.
Chillaxin after some laps.
Hullo. (Come on. They are pretty effing cute.)
Chillaxin after some laps.
Hullo. (Come on. They are pretty effing cute.)
They are really cool looking and i love the tank. Great job with the aquascape
