American eel in saltwater

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Cu455

Cu455

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Mar 8, 2011
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Can American eels be kept in a saltwater aquarium? I know they start and end their lives in saltwater. I was wondering if they need to wait for their bodies to morph to be ready for saltwater or can I acclimate one to keep in a saltwater tank.
 
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The question is why would you want to keep one in saltwater? Why not keep them in freshwater, they seems they can live in it for forever.
 
MN_Rebel said:
The question is why would you want to keep one in saltwater? Why not keep them in freshwater, they seems they can live in it for forever.
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I had one and once it got big I put it in a pond, a real pond not a small garden pond. I think I might have seen him once since then, but the fish moved so quick I can't confirm it. I thought he was a cool fish and will like to get another one. I don't have a spot for it in my freshwater tanks but I have a 450 gallon saltwater aquarium I can put him in.
 
If you want an eel for your saltwater tank, why not go with a moray? I wouldn't try to keep an American eel in saltwater.
 
No they are a FW fish, they return to SW to breed and die, if you kept one into maturity/caught a mature one then I'm sure it would do very well in SW for the rest of it's days but I dont expect that they have a very long life span once they hit this point in life.

I agree LOT's of very cool SW eel options available that you would be much better off with.
 
spotfin said:
If you want an eel for your saltwater tank, why not go with a moray? I wouldn't try to keep an American eel in saltwater.
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Moray' s aren't eels. They are fish. American eels aren't fish. They are eels. Confused?

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Most American eels in freshwater can live up to 20, 30, or 40 years before return to the sea for a sole purpose...to breed then die.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice. If it's questionable I will pass. For those who asked why. I was at the bait shop getting squid for my morays and saw the cooler with 3 inches of water and 15 American eels. Like I said in the original post I got an eel there, grew it out for a year, put it in a pond where it can't be seen . I figured I will get another one for a tank where I can watch it.

Is there any studies or fishing stories about large American eels living in saltwater? Or any hobbiest give it a try?
 
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