american eels?

[spotfin]

So much we don't know about the eel. The genetic differences between estuary and freshwater eels is interesting. But what doesn't make sense to me is all American eels spawn together as one stock. So an eel that lived in brackish water it's whole life (if it really did) say, from Chesapeake Bay, can spawn with an eel that lived in freshwater from Central America. How do genetics of these two eels predisposition their offspring to live in one environment vs another????

I catch glass eels in the spring as part of a study I work on. These are eels that are seeking freshwater, and the ones caught for the commercial fishery. I also catch pigmented eels at the same time. These are a bit larger- think pencil size. And are 2-3 years old. So I ask, have these pigmented eels spent the first couple of years in the marine environment and then searched out freshwater? Or did they live in freshwater and then dropped out into the ocean and are returning to freshwater again? Who really knows? Not to derail this thread.

I have often contemplated keeping an eel in an aquarium.

 

[KATALEKEEPER]

So much we don't know about the eel. The genetic differences between estuary and freshwater eels is interesting. But what doesn't make sense to me is all American eels spawn together as one stock. So an eel that lived in brackish water it's whole life (if it really did) say, from Chesapeake Bay, can spawn with an eel that lived in freshwater from Central America. How do genetics of these two eels predisposition their offspring to live in one environment vs another????

I catch glass eels in the spring as part of a study I work on. These are eels that are seeking freshwater, and the ones caught for the commercial fishery. I also catch pigmented eels at the same time. These are a bit larger- think pencil size. And are 2-3 years old. So I ask, have these pigmented eels spent the first couple of years in the marine environment and then searched out freshwater? Or did they live in freshwater and then dropped out into the ocean and are returning to freshwater again? Who really knows? Not to derail this thread.

I have often contemplated keeping an eel in an aquarium.

oh no most appreciated! Honestly I may try.

 

[PhishMon84]

Interesting fish, never considered them for a tank. my only experience with them is seeing the dead males float down the Deerfield River post spawning. There was a wide spot in the river, we'd swim across to cliff jump, rope swing etc.. seems like Fridays in mid-August when the spillway would open around 2pm an hour or so later we would get a mass of smaller bodies coming down the river. I'm assuming males die or are killed in the spawning process

 

[xenacanth9]

Used to keep wild American Eels from the Chesapeake Bay every now and then, kind of on and off. Brackish. That was quite some time ago. I'm currently in the process of building a pond, (FW) and they are a very real possibility for that.

 

[spotfin]

Here is a good description of the American eel: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/newsroom/facts.html. This will clarify many things.

 

[SharptoothBass]

I love American eels they are one of my favorite eels. They go crazy at feeding time kept three together once and they would spin and take chunks out of tilapia fillets like a crocodile.

 

[tlindsey]

I love American eels they are one of my favorite eels. They go crazy at feeding time kept three together once and they would spin and take chunks out of tilapia fillets like a crocodile.

I personally like them. Do you have to worry about them trying to escape the aquarium.

 

[SharptoothBass]

I personally like them. Do you have to worry about them trying to escape the aquarium.

No I never had that problem all my eel tanks have tons of rockwork so they retreat to the rock rather than trying to escape. I just moved my remaining spiny eels out of a tank that was half open for two years with no jumping.

 

[SharptoothBass]

I personally like them. Do you have to worry about them trying to escape the aquarium.

if you look in the top right hand corner you can see the tank is wide open and it was for over two years. You can also see how the eels like to keep their tails in the rocks ready to retreat. Now when I removed the rocks they would definitely jump out. Truly understanding the fish and their behavior makes fishkeeping a lot easier. I kept the four biggest eels the tank they are in is covered but it definitely has gaps the could escape from if the didn't feel so safe in the rocks.

 

[tlindsey]

Truly understanding the fish and their behavior makes fishkeeping a lot easier.

That is a definite fact.