Electric Eel Help

[leskoluke]

I’m getting an electric eel soon and I’m pretty sure I’m ready for one except for one thing. The seller I’m buying it from keeps it in a large plastic tub. Sort of like a big clear storage bin. He told me that when he keeps them with filtration, they lose their slime coats, get infections, and die. I don’t want to keep mine in a tub, I want to keep mine in a large tank where I can actually view it. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[Hendre]

I’m getting an electric eel soon and I’m pretty sure I’m ready for one except for one thing. The seller I’m buying it from keeps it in a large plastic tub. Sort of like a big clear storage bin. He told me that when he keeps them with filtration, they lose their slime coats, get infections, and die. I don’t want to keep mine in a tub, I want to keep mine in a large tank where I can actually view it. Anyone know anything about this?

That sounds strange. Probably best to use a very diffused flow from the filter, since lungfish are found in rather stagnant places in nature.

And high five for the right subforum

 

[kno4te]

Doesn’t sound right. Not sure if there’s a water quality issue or the batch of fish is a little sick or something. Small e-eels are sensitive and this can be seen with them. That’s why not so many small e-eels less than 12inches are brought in. Anyway, post som pics when i get it. Get rubber shoes.

 

[tlindsey]

Doesn’t sound right. Not sure if there’s a water quality issue or the batch of fish is a little sick or something. Small e-eels are sensitive and this can be seen with them. That’s why not so many small e-eels less than 12inches are brought in. Anyway, post som pics when i get it. Get rubber shoes.

Great advice about the rubber shoes.

 

[leskoluke]

Thanks for the advice guys, the e-eel that I’m getting is 36 inches already so I was pretty confused when he said that.

 

[kno4te]

Thanks for the advice guys, the e-eel that I’m getting is 36 inches already so I was pretty confused when he said that.

Maybe nothing more than stress. It’ll cause slimecoat issues and potentially die.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Just put it in a shallow tank or indoor pond with lots of floating vegetation, filtration isn't as important as water change

 

[kno4te]

Keep covered in case considering shallow tank or pond. Least amount of handling.

 

[leskoluke]

Do they actually get 8 foot in captivity? I’ve seen somewhere that they usually only get around 5 ft unless they’re at a public aquarium or wild.

 

[kno4te]

Do they actually get 8 foot in captivity? I’ve seen somewhere that they usually only get around 5 ft unless they’re at a public aquarium or wild.

They’ll likely get 4ft to 5ft. They grow fast so plan to start with a big tank and go from there.