Fire eel question…

[danotaylor]

I have never kept an eel before. I just saw this guy advertised locally here in Cinci for $100 @ 20”



My question is, is that a fair price?
Would it be ok in a 6 foot 125gal with clown loaches and my 2 carpintis?

Thx folks

 

[tlindsey]

is that a fair price?

Yes if you ordered one that size from a vendor it would cost you more. Also you can't see what the fire eel you are purchasing looks like. The fire eel in the pic looks very healthy.

be ok in a 6 foot 125gal with clown loaches and my 2 carpintis?

Tbh I don't know if it would work but you will need to upgrade to a larger aquarium in the future because fire eels grow 3 ft .

 

[wednesday13]

I have never kept an eel before. I just saw this guy advertised locally here in Cinci for $100 @ 20”

View attachment 1573758

My question is, is that a fair price?
Would it be ok in a 6 foot 125gal with clown loaches and my 2 carpintis?

Thx folks

Great price imo and a good start on one. They do get big but u could max out a 125 for a while. The real problem is how strong they are when there bigger. Hardest part will b keeping it in the tank. No holes anywhere and weighted lids are a must. I picked up a 3’er out of a 180 for a friend once. Just solid muscle despite there placid appearance. Largest ive seen in person was an easy 40” and they had 3 that size

 

[danotaylor]

Thanks for the input tlindsey & wednesday13 Appreciate the insights. I have a 10’ x 3’ footprint 470gal but I have it dedicated to growing about a group of 16 F1 mobas.
It was a thought. Ima sit on it for a bit and not do the typical fisho impulse buy we’re all guilty of at times

 

[jjohnwm]

That eel is a stunner! Lovely!

You should grab it for that price. Grow it up in your 125, keeping a close eye on your carpintis. When the eel gets too big, move it to your 470 and ditch the mobas. I mean...hell...they're only cichlids...

 

[HUKIT]

I don’t know a lot about them but looking at his overall shape/size it looks like the seller has done an incredible job growing him out, $100 seems like a steal.

 

[danotaylor]

That eel is a stunner! Lovely!

You should grab it for that price. Grow it up in your 125, keeping a close eye on your carpintis. When the eel gets too big, move it to your 470 and ditch the mobas. I mean...hell...they're only cichlids...

Ha!

Seriously though, by “keep an eye on your carpintis” do you mean they could become a snack for the FE?
How “predatory” are eels, opportunistic or steal hunters?
Would I need to remove the smaller 3-3.5” loaches or would it leave them alone cause of the barbs in their face?

 

[wednesday13]

Peer pressure … i think there pretty “community” friendly honestly. U can drive it up north and ill take it if u change ur mind lol

 

[jjohnwm]

Ha!

Seriously though, by “keep an eye on your carpintis” do you mean they could become a snack for the FE?
How “predatory” are eels, opportunistic or steal hunters?
Would I need to remove the smaller 3-3.5” loaches or would it leave them alone cause of the barbs in their face?

Cichlids being cichlids being buttheads...and not knowing the size of your carpintis, I meant to watch out for aggressive shenanigans on their part. But I seem to think that they are still pretty small from another thread?

My Fire Eel of old never bothered fish any bigger than guppies; they don't have huge mouths and want stuff that can be swallowed whole. It was very interactive and an aggressive feeder. Quite un-eel-like, compared to other fish commonly called "eels". Opening the lid brought him hovering front and center immediately, food was found by sight and seized quickly. He ate earthworms, krill, insects, freeze-dried/rehydrated foods, you name it.

Joking aside...your moba tank is beautiful. But, seriously, that same tank with a magnum-sized Fire Eel, or a couple of them, would be an absolute show-stopper. They wouldn't be hiding, they'd be on display and would be magnificent.

 

[danotaylor]