American Eel

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I'm not keeping them anymore as they're not legal to own here, but I now keep Anguilla japonica, close enough I suppose. One of them (which I had to rescue from the other eel, was getting bullied to the point of starvation) is now extremely tame and will lift its head completely out of the water to feed from my hands. They're awesome fish.
 
They're protected here due to the impact overfishing and damming have had on local populations. While I'm normally not the guy to say "this fish is technically not a baitfish in Ontario so don't keep it", if it's protected because populations are dwindling rapidly, then yes, I won't keep them.
 
I dont know anything about farming eels, but there is an extensive fishery for them. You would be surprised to see the cost for a pound of elvers in the right market. They are not hard to catch larger either. When I was setting traps at night for perch, bass, alewives etc, I actually lost quite a bit of fish from large eels swimming into the traps, eating, and then exiting the traps
 
I have a male American Eel that is about 42". He is extremely intelligent, friendly, and personable. He will eat almost anything, but favors raw market shrimp and nightcrawlers. He will swim to the top of the water and eat from my hand and enjoys (or tolerates) being pet.

They love to dig so soft substrate is recommended. He will uproot anything in the tank if he is trying to get to food. VERY powerful.

He lives with a Largemouth bass and a Brown bullhead; both 13-14" with no issues. Occasionally he and the catfish scuffle over the same food, but share the same hideouts in the tank.

IMO he is one of the most interesting fish I have ever seen.

FWIW all my fish were raised from when they were ~1" long. The catfish and eel are docile, but the Largemouth retained his wild side and is a ferocious eater... gets absolutely crazy over crayfish and minnow.
 
jdhuegel1 said:
I have a male American Eel that is about 42". He is extremely intelligent, friendly, and personable.
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At that size any eel is 100% Female mate ;) Males dont get over 32" and mostly stay around 25-30".
Still sounds like a VERY awesome eel and awesome tank!:) Pics??
 
fwprawn said:
They are sold at local bait shops - I'm happy to get you one, or several - being bait, they are super cheap. I've had a few short-term, but never long enough to really get a good feel for them as pets.
Let me know if you want some.
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These sound extremely interesting simply from a observation and study standpoint, i would be very interested in getting at least one maybe 2, if youre willing to ship to Indiana :)
 
Chub_by said:
At that size any eel is 100% Female mate ;) Males dont get over 32" and mostly stay around 25-30".
Still sounds like a VERY awesome eel and awesome tank!:) Pics??
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+1 to pics - current owners start showing your eels!

Also - if you got your eel anywhere but the Sarragassum Sea - its going to be female.

To my understanding, the males stay there and wait for the females to return to mate. The females (different closely related species) go back as far as asia, europe, and Northern Canada.

Very cool to hear some of these testimonies. And again, if anyone can obtain these legally please PM me. I have a collections permit - but getting one in the state is prooving to be impossible.
 
FLESHY said:
+1 to pics - current owners start showing your eels!

Also - if you got your eel anywhere but the Sarragassum Sea - its going to be female.

To my understanding, the males stay there and wait for the females to return to mate. The females (different closely related species) go back as far as asia, europe, and Northern Canada.

Very cool to hear some of these testimonies. And again, if anyone can obtain these legally please PM me. I have a collections permit - but getting one in the state is prooving to be impossible.
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That isn't true,the males and females both wander back to fresh water. Btw I'm getting a european eel soon for my pond :)
 
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