Cool fish very fun to keep usually pretty interactive and can be very colorful try to pick out one with alot of red there pattern won't change as they age
Size:Fire eels will grow some what fast in there first year then slow down. they will top out around 36'' in captivity but smaller is more common. ( they get larger in the wild ) They will get pretty thick there body shape will be more oval shape rather then round.
Covers: They need to be coverd we'll, once around 10'' it shouldn't be able to fit threw an egg crate. lowering the water will help some also make sure any filter intakes are coverd we'll. If your eels does escape they are native to marshy areas so they can get around fine in low water areas to pretty much no water so they can get a little way from your tank . Check under couches or any other places it could of crawled under .
Decoration and substrate : Spiny eels like to hide ESP when new to a tank. PVC or any cave works great for them rock piles with large spaces work great as we'll. drift wood and tall plants are great, they will not harm plants and like to hang out in both from time to time . They are powerful burrowers but have some what sensitive noses so to make it eazy on them a fine substrate should be used. They will also often burrow under drift wood or other objects with only there noses sticking out, so if you look in there tank and don't see your eel don't be alarmed yet. check all over the bottom around objects for a pointy nose sticking out, if still you can not find it them you may wan't to begin serching around the out side of your tank .
For color black sand will make the reds stand out and be very vibrent which is a great look but can make them hard to fine when burrowed and from a distance from the tank. white substrate will make them eazier to see but will bleach out there reds . I find they look best when kept with dark substrate , borwn is good and with alot of plants .
Feeding : ahhh the best part heres where you get to play with your eel
They will get very interactive with you, large spiny eels can be hand fed very eazily. ( the first time i fed mine i was able to hand feed it , it may take a little time with others how ever) Once it gets use to hand feeding it will often come to your hand when ever its in the tank. looking for food at this time you can pet and play with your loveable eel
They can be some what picky. For new eels Blood worms are a great starter food for a picky eel, also for picky eels earth worms are often taken . If those don't work then live black worms will do the trick
Other foods are Shrimp , live ghost shrimp, Krill , Small fish ( when there older young eels often won't eat live fish ) fish fillets are good food (but often its hard to get them to eat them but with time it can be done)small snails and Crustaceans are also taken ( these along with worms and incect larva are there natural foods) Glass worms are also enjoyed . Its often very difficult to get them to eat pellets
Tank mates : they aren't aggressive at all ( except when older then they can be territorial twords other spiny eels this is more so with tiretrack eels fires are often peaceful all around ) when older they do get predatory how ever they usually won't eat large fish but could if they really wan'ted so make sure nothing can fit in there mouths . When burrowing they often are out competed for food by faster tank mates ( Like pikes
) so hand feeding will come in handy but watch out though pikes are sneaky.
Hope you find this help full fire away with any questions or things you don't under stand i'm sure i have a few type Os in there
Need to find a way to get around this. If they are 10" would they still be able to fit through the egg crate?