Fire Eel Question

[beebop]

I have read a few things about the fire eel. Mainly, if it can fit in it's mouth, it will be considered food.

How big is it's mouth? What type of fish can it fit in it's mouth? Would corydoras and chain loaches be too small? Or are we mainly talking neon tetra type size?

 

[Chub_by]

Spiny eels have very small mouths compared to body size but of course a 24" fire eel can fit something in there!
Generally, long, "spaghetti-type" fish such as loaches or smaller eels fit better than higher or even disc-shaped fish like barbs.
I wouldn't mix chain loaches or corydoras with large spiny eels; the loaches will become food quickly and the corydoras have spines, which means: IF they become food, the fire eel will suffer and possibly die.
Your best bet would be 4"+ tetras or barbs; for the bottom you could try loaches that have higher backs like Clowns.
Finally I have to say it differs from fish to fish; I've seen 16" fire eels cohabit with all sizes of fish and I've seen fire eels take down large goldfish.
Good luck.
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[Loves severums]

Spiny eels have very small mouths compared to body size but of course a 24" fire eel can fit something in there!
Generally, long, "spaghetti-type" fish such as loaches or smaller eels fit better than higher or even disc-shaped fish like barbs.
I wouldn't mix chain loaches or corydoras with large spiny eels; the loaches will become food quickly and the corydoras have spines, which means: IF they become food, the fire eel will suffer and possibly die.Your best bet would be 4"+ tetras or barbs; for the bottom you could try loaches that have higher backs like Clowns.
Finally I have to say it differs from fish to fish; I've seen 16" fire eels cohabit with all sizes of fish and I've seen fire eels take down large goldfish.
Good luck.
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I agree

 

[Mantvis]

I had a tire track eel which would get a 2 inch fish in his mouth and carry it around.. Saved the little guy when noticed.

 

[Vanimal]

I keep mine with Cories but he is just a juvenile not very large yet. But the only live things that he attacks are ghost shrimp.


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[beebop]

Thanks for the input guys. They are very hard to find here, so not many people to talk about their experiences with them.
Someone here may have one. THey said they have a red eel in their tank. They havent seen it for a while, but they are shutting down their tank. If they find it, they are going to call me.