Do large eels really need large tanks? Snakes dont

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Libpete

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 8, 2013
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England
The fire eel and tire track eel are often said to need 100-150g or something huge for life. I was thinking about snakes and how many people keep them in plastic tubs stacked on one another. I once asked if this was really cruel to the snake and was told its not as they only want a safe place and food.

Eels dont exactly swim about that much and fit into pretty small caves etc reaching out to feed so surely smaller tanks are adaquate for them? Do they really need the space and do they suffer without it? (Im not getting one anytime soon, just a question)
 
Snakes are taken out of said small drawers regularly so they can stretch, I think it all has to do w/ the full grown adult being able to fully stretch, I'm sure in a smaller tank a cramped feeling eel like that would be more prone to jumping out

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Simple answer= it's not always big fish big tank you have to remember that big tank means more water volume. You can swim in a kiddies pool as a big adult but the deep end is much better. But in this case it's better for the fish health as he's going to put a lot of waste off.
 
It's all relative. A 24" eel can be in a smaller tank than a 24" African tiger fish for sure (or whatever other large active fish), but that doesn't mean you can keep them in a 10 gallon tank just because they can curl up and fit. An yes a big eel has big poops, the sudden shock to water chemistry would not be good on a small tank. Id stand by the 100g argument for a tiretrack or fire. If you want a small one get a peacock.


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Yes eels spend much time curled up but my Tessellate would go out and cruise that tank quite often. Mine was in a 125 I would not go smaller than that. The snakes in drawers have no limit the amount of air surrounding them (assuming the box is ventilated) and the eel is confined to the amount of water it is in so water quality is an important factor.
 
The general rule I always went by was to have a cage at least two times the body's length. I don't think snakes should be kept in racks at all. They don't have any light,don't get to explore, and stay cramped up. My American eel nessie is about 3 foot she is in a 6 foot long tank 125 and that seems small for her we have plans to upgrade this summer. Eels swim around as well esp at nite. So yes large eels and large snakes need large tanks.
 
180 for a smaller eel. Large ones should have around 240, but more is better. Well fed and raised properly, they can get really long and thick. A beautiful and personable fish (can be hand fed) that should be pampered to reach it's full potential, imo.

I think 100-150 is way too small unless it's stunted or it's not fully grown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElpL5Z5P0hQ

According to this vid, the eel is full grown and the tank is 10 feet long. Imagine that eel in a tank 4 feet shorter in length and maybe 1 foot less height.
 
Compared to and eels length, 300gal is very small. Think of putting a 90cm rtc, or tsn in a 300gal.... I definetly agree, Theres alot of cool smaller eels, leave these monsters to people who has a 300gal +.
 
Drstrangelove said:
180 for a smaller eel. Large ones should have around 240, but more is better. Well fed and raised properly, they can get really long and thick. A beautiful and personable fish (can be hand fed) that should be pampered to reach it's full potential, imo.

I think 100-150 is way too small unless it's stunted or it's not fully grown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElpL5Z5P0hQ

According to this vid, the eel is full grown and the tank is 10 feet long. Imagine that eel in a tank 4 feet shorter in length and maybe 1 foot less height.
Click to expand...

That's at Maidenhead aquatics@ hillingdon lol. I've seen the eel in person and fed it. Absolute monster and so interactive and friendly. He moves a lot too.

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