Fire Eel

[SGomez109]

Hey guys, I have a fire eel now for about 2 plus years and he’s about 14-16 inches. Recently I moved the tank around and put a PVC pipe in there for him because I felt he was getting too big for his self made cave under some rocks I have.

Recently I’ve noticed that he lays in there upside. At first I freaked out. I’m still panicking about it. But when he leaves, he swim completely normal. He’s eating like a little piggy. Coloring and breathing is completely normal. Now today I’ve notice he had a weird (sore?). It wasn’t there yesterday. I think he rubbed himself against something.

The water is in perfect condition. I’ve tested it multiple times. No ammonia or nitrates. Its 120 gallons with 10 discus, 2 angels, 4 rainbows and a bunch of cories. Tank has be established since 2016. Please let me know my fellow fire eel keepers if this has happened to any of you. Do you guys think its a problem? Is this a symptom of something? Thanks!

 

[tlindsey]

Hey guys, I have a fire eel now for about 2 plus years and he’s about 14-16 inches. Recently I moved the tank around and put a PVC pipe in there for him because I felt he was getting too big for his self made cave under some rocks I have.

Recently I’ve noticed that he lays in there upside. At first I freaked out. I’m still panicking about it. But when he leaves, he swim completely normal. He’s eating like a little piggy. Coloring and breathing is completely normal. Now today I’ve notice he had a weird (sore?). It wasn’t there yesterday. I think he rubbed himself against something.

The water is in perfect condition. I’ve tested it multiple times. No ammonia or nitrates. Its 120 gallons with 10 discus, 2 angels, 4 rainbows and a bunch of cories. Tank has be established since 2016. Please let me know my fellow fire eel keepers if this has happened to any of you. Do you guys think its a problem? Is this a symptom of something? Thanks!

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welcome aboard

 

[Dalfrey86]

I can see some rough edges at the inside opening of the pipe. Either sand it down or carve at it with a utility knife.

Beautiful eel btw.

 

[tlindsey]

I can see some rough edges at the inside opening of the pipe. Either sand it down or carve at it with a utility knife.

Beautiful eel btw.

Great advice

 

[Red Cichlids]

I'm with Dalfrey86 on this. It looks to me like the black stuff on the rough part of the pvc pipe might be some of the eel's skin.

Beautiful tank!

 

[twentyleagues]

I'd get a file and bevel the edges for sure. Can you post a pic of the damaged area?

 

[Nilsafeller]

I'd also get a wider pipe.... hell out grow that for sure

 

[SGomez109]

Hey guys! Thank you for responding. I bought I bigger pipe for him but its a little too large for him right now. Took out his old one and sanded down alot better. Here’s a pic of his back. I’ve been treating with melafix and primafix for two days now l, hoping it’ll help. Whats driving me crazy is why he’s laying down upside in his pipe all day long but swimming completely normal at night and when he eat during the day. I saw a super old post from like 2008 that said internal worms...does any other then seem likely or is him laying in his back normal? Thank you so much for the tips guys! ? I’ve had tanks for 10 years and never felt so confused.

 

[Red Cichlids]

I have a hypothesis as to why he is on his back.

I think spiny eels are more flexible from side-to-side and forward and less flexible as far as arching their back. If that is true, then a reason he might be on his back in the pipe is because he can get out of it going directly upward and not just to the sides. I don't think worms or other health issues have anything to do with it.

 

[SGomez109]

I love that hypothesis. My thing is, when I put food in he switches himself around and come out back on his tummy like normal to eat. He doesn’t seem stressed at all. When the lights go out he swims out and explores like normal too. I thought it was a swim bladder issue too but he doesn’t swim upside down. He has bumps on his tummy after eating but that best he’s a fatty. Lol. Its gone by morning after what I assume he pass it through. I’ve been searching everywhere, youtube and every fish forum to see if anyone else has this going on. Super frustrating! But thank you so much for the reply. Its very appreciated.