Fire Eel

[cpr_mike]

I just broke down and bought a fire eel today. The pet store owner was the one who sold it to me. He/she is about 8-9 inches and was marked as $69.99 but I worked a little magic and got him for $21.99.

But the reason why I posted was I was curious to how fast they grow. I googled it and did not get much feedback. He is in a 125 gallon and hopefully he is not one of those monsters I am going to regret getting. I have basic knowledge on them but I have never owned one.

 

[Fat Homer]

^ Although i own one myself i haven't really had it long enough to tell you how fast they grow, especially since mine was around 20 inches when i got him... but i have heard they reach up to 36inches when fully grown and require a 180G tank...

 

[cpr_mike]

^ Although i own one myself i haven't really had it long enough to tell you how fast they grow, especially since mine was around 20 inches when i got him... but i have heard they reach up to 36inches when fully grown and require a 180G tank...

Well it looks like I will have to sell it on here when he gets too big lol. I want to get a 400 gallon but I have to wait to get a new place.

 

[Loves severums]

^u will get hooked on them.

 

[Aqualoon]

Hi Mike, I went through the same dilemma as I only have a 150 and that's all I will have for several years. What got me to finally get one was that although they have the potential to get that big however not all do, so a 125/150 could end up being a good lifer home for them.

Of course if they do then hopefully the owner will rehome the big guy.

 

[sbuse]

i didn't have mine long enough to tell growth rates first had but i think it is like 1-2" a month or so...mine choked to death after a week...

 

[jstavis]

From what I can tell a 36" fire eel (or anything getting up over 30 inches max) is very, very rare and would take a very, very long time. Also, fire eels are rather flexible and sedentary for their size, so I really think people go a bit overboard in planning to house them. Of course a big tank is always better, but I really don't think you're going to run into issues with a 125 for a quite a while.

 

[Aesop]

Both of mine grew pretty slowly. Of course, they grow quicker when they're young and slow down in their "teen" ages. Mine were kept in a 200 gallon and it took a long time for them to reach longer than a foot.

I love fire eels though and plan on getting another one some day. They're like puppies!

 

[Loves severums]

Both of mine grew pretty slowly. Of course, they grow quicker when they're young and slow down in their "teen" ages. Mine were kept in a 200 gallon and it took a long time for them to reach longer than a foot.

I love fire eels though and plan on getting another one some day. They're like puppies!

^ i have 2.

 

[cpr_mike]

Awesome thanks for the info guys. Mine is coming up and trying to eat out of my hands when I am cleaning the tank so I think I will have a good time with it. Sorry for the late answer I wasnt able to get on for a couple days.