American eel in saltwater

[Dan F]

I would have guessed that they will enter breeding mode first and then enter saltwater. Once they start to change then something would be triggered in their body to signal them into saltwater. I am not saying I am right but this is how I would of guessed it happen.

How ever it happens I am surprised that they are not more popular. They are cool fish and cost less them tetras. I am problaly going to get one tomorow for my freshwater tank. I also also downloaded that book on my kindle, thanks.

I agree, it is probably some cue that makes them know it is time to enter saltwater, where they transform into "silvers" or breeding adults.

I have seen a few large eels in aquariums (on the internet). I would say we don't see more because they are more demanding than the average fishkeeper can handle, not to mention not terribly "pretty". Personally I think they are very cool, if they were available over here for a couple bucks I would definitely try raising one.

 

[spotfin]

In large, coastal river systems, the eels enter freshwater as glass eels (elvers) and start the upstream migration. Soon after entering freshwater they start to feed and color up. They will travel great distances upstream to find suitable habitat. Most eels will travel to lakes and ponds to live for a long time until reaching maturity, and are typically females. When nature tells them to head back to sea, the big females take on a silver color when they start to migrate and are refered to as "silvers". Quite often the male eels will spend their lives within the river system (even living in estuaries). They mature sooner and are smaller than the females, and are refered to as "yellow" eels.
If you really want to keep an American eel in a tank, I would suggest setting up another tank

 

[fwprawn]

Demanding how ? I've kept the bait shop eels, and they are one of the best fish I've ever kept - they don't touch any of the other fish, and they have great personalities - very fun to feed - No health issues whatsoever.

If you've had different experiences, tell us about them please.

(Mine were in full freshwater, of course.)

 

[Aquanero]

when I was a kid, my grandfather used to take me to the bay or down to the mouth of the river close to the ocean to catch eels, he was after the big ones called "U Capitone" he said the big females stayed around the ocean and the small males "Anguilli" would go upstream into fresh water and didn't taste as good. For Christmas eve he wanted only capitone so it was down to the salt or at least brackish water for the big females. according to him the females stayed closer to the ocean so I would guess they must be brackish at least. Nothing scientific about this just relating what I've seen fishing for eels for Christmas eve.

 

[fwprawn]

Based on your experience, and mine - catching eels along the coast (Mine were not estuarine, but in full marine conditions) - it sounds like the females spend a fair amount of time in full saltwater for a while, before making the journey - which would explain our catching them along the coast where they "technically" don't belong, throughout the year.

 

[Dan F]

Demanding how ? I've kept the bait shop eels, and they are one of the best fish I've ever kept - they don't touch any of the other fish, and they have great personalities - very fun to feed - No health issues whatsoever.

If you've had different experiences, tell us about them please.

(Mine were in full freshwater, of course.)

I've never kept one, or even seen a live one (none on the West Coast) so it was pure speculation, but any fish that can reach 6'+ is probably more "demanding" than the average fishkeeper can handle. However, this is MFK, not exactly a bunch of "average" fishkeepers!

 

[Aquanero]

We would catch them all year long by the ocean not just for food but as Striper bait too on sand worms and long shank hooks. I was an adult the first time I cought an eel in a lake and thought that was so odd.....lol. I thought, what's an eel doing here they belong in salt water! So I guess sometines we forget to tell the fish how they are supposed to behave, what the hell do they know.

I don't know if they can live in full salt water fuul time but I would imaging you could keep them (females at least) in brackish water full time. I really don't know but I've gotten plenty in salt water all year long.

 

[fwprawn]

6' no. 4' max. They are also surprisingly very slow growers.

Just noticed your sig: snapper - how big? I have two myself

 

[Dan F]

6' no. 4' max. They are also surprisingly very slow growers.

Just noticed your sig: snapper - how big? I have two myself

I stand corrected, (it has been about ten years since I read the book on eels) but a 4' eel is still pretty big for most non-MFKers! Since they can live 25 years I can imagine that they would grow pretty slowly.

My snapper is about 16-18" carapace length, maybe 12 or 15 pounds. I've had her for 12 years, since she was the size of my hand. She lives in the lobby of the elementary school where I teach, kids love her! How big are yours and how long have you had them?

 

[fwprawn]

I actually have not measured them - never had a reason to.

Both are CBB adoptions - male is about 12 inches carapace. Younger one is about 5 inches carapace.

When I taught at the school, the kids loved the smaller one - the big one would visit from time to time.

The big one I've had for about 6 years and isn't putting on any more size, and the small one about 3 or 4 years. The small one was "kept small" by not feeding much. When I started feeding it a lot, the growth exploded.