Fire Eels are very sensitive to the substrate in tanks, and can be easily scratched by gravel or sharp rocks. A sand substrate is preferred, as this is a burrowing fish. Although it is possible to keep one in a gravel-bottom tank, it will get scratched constantly and might get seriously hurt due to bacterial infections or other skin openings. Keep in mind that any and all plants might be uprooted when it is burrowing, so it is very difficult to keep this fish in a planted tank. Try to provide your fire eel with plenty of hiding places so it has a house and a place to go if it becomes stressed or scared.
Tank (outside): Fire Eels are well known for hopping the border. Be sure that you have your whole tank covered, including the filter(s) intake(s)/output(s) if possible. If you have a bigger specimen, you will need to compensate for its strength by re-enforcing the top. Many valuable eels are lost due to un-educated owners.
Tankmates and Temperament: This fish does not do very well with other spiny eels, especially as adults. Although it has been tried, very few have had success keeping Fire Eels with other eels and conspecifics. A fire eel will do well in a community tank with fish about the same size or slightly larger/smaller than it is. It is generally not a good idea to mix fire eels with larger aggressive cichlids due to aggression issues and battles for food. Although usually a shy fish at first, it is not uncommon to find to find your fire eel swimming around, especially at night.
Special Care:
The fire eel is a very unique fish. It is a mainly nocturnal fish and usually only comes out at night to feed. When first introduced into an aquarium, a fire eel may not eat for several days or usually weeks. This is not uncommon. It is best to try and get it to feed at night when the tank lights are off at first, and then slowly adjust it to your feeding schedule. In addition to a large, well-covered tank with a soft substrate, one must not overfeed this fish; it could very well pass away due to gluttony.
many owners feed their fire eels by hand
