I have a 72 gallon bowfront sw aquarium and am curious about stocking it with one or more Garden Eels. Does anyone have experience with this species in the home aquarium? I have several questions and cannot find specific answers on other sites. Thanks
Garden Eels
- Thread starter fishlvr10
- Start date
You will get better advice if you post this in the eels section.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=235
And Welcome to MFK
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=235
And Welcome to MFK
They're a pain in the butt unless you set up a tank specifically for them. They need deep sand beds, at least 6" and 10-12" would be better. They are also easily picked on and timid. You're better off keeping them in a tall tank set up just for them.
Sorry everyone, obviously Im new to this site. To SimonL: Would you be able to give me more specifics on why they are pain in the butts? and how many did you keep? I think theyre fascinating creatures! If Im correct, they are not venomous-are they? And I saw a youtube clip of garden eels, where the person claimed to be keeping a filefish and another fish that i cannot remember in the same tank as the eels. Would a tassled filefish be appropriate in this scenario, theyre quite timid also yes?
fishlvr10;4984283; said:
You're correct, they're not venomous. I've never kept them at home personally, but we import them at work. I should have been more specific, they're a pain if you try to drop them in a "normal" tank.
Why? They need a really deep sand bed which is hard to do in a normal tank. Imagine filling half your tank with sand. It's very hard to keep clean and becomes anaerobic easily.
They are also timid and slow feeders who won't leave their burrows. Ideally they feed on food drifting by, like a seahorse. Active tankmates out-compete them for food.
Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPF4dylrXKo
Best thing is to set-up a tank for them. I'd be leery of keeping a Tasseled File, they get pretty big, mine was palm sized. Files can be really nippy like triggers. I'd go with slow, delicate fish like seahorses, razorfish, pipefish, etc.
Thank you for the quick reply! I appreciate it, not that Im in a rush to get the eels, but it is kind of you.
Great! I really wouldnt have the boldness to keep any venomous animals.
Well I will hopefully have a "normal" tank. I havent restocked my 72 for months now and Im down to a single fish, a picasso trigger. Im planning on remodeling it and giving it a hardcore cleaning after he passes.
Ahhh. That makes more sense! I currently have 3" or so of sand and if I do invest in the eels I will be sure to upgrade to 6" of sand and will be adding to that as they grow.
Hmm sounds like they will be picky eaters. Perhaps feeding them with an eye dropper apparatus or something of the sort would be easier?
Aww. I was really hoping to get a file, but I've always liked pipefish so I will look into that.
Overall, do you recommend these eels for the marine aquarist? I have almost 7 years of experience in the trade, but have only kept the usual, typical fish, coral, and crustaceans. I am trying to branch out and find an exotic and exciting animal but one that will fit my current needs at the same time and one that does not require massive amounts of care. Any other suggestions? Thank you so much!
Great! I really wouldnt have the boldness to keep any venomous animals.
Well I will hopefully have a "normal" tank. I havent restocked my 72 for months now and Im down to a single fish, a picasso trigger. Im planning on remodeling it and giving it a hardcore cleaning after he passes.
Ahhh. That makes more sense! I currently have 3" or so of sand and if I do invest in the eels I will be sure to upgrade to 6" of sand and will be adding to that as they grow.
Hmm sounds like they will be picky eaters. Perhaps feeding them with an eye dropper apparatus or something of the sort would be easier?
Aww. I was really hoping to get a file, but I've always liked pipefish so I will look into that.
Overall, do you recommend these eels for the marine aquarist? I have almost 7 years of experience in the trade, but have only kept the usual, typical fish, coral, and crustaceans. I am trying to branch out and find an exotic and exciting animal but one that will fit my current needs at the same time and one that does not require massive amounts of care. Any other suggestions? Thank you so much!
It's not care that's the problem, they just need a special set-up. Why are you waiting for a Picasso trigger to die? They live for 20 years lol.
You could always set up a deeper sand section of the tank by putting a 6" high piece of glass across one corner.
You could always set up a deeper sand section of the tank by putting a 6" high piece of glass across one corner.
Ahh, gotcha.
Lol, THANK YOU FOR REMINDNG ME of that fact. Well ive had the trigger for a few years now and (not that i dont like it) but i really want a fresh start in my tank. Ive had this thing running nonstop for 5 years! Growl.
The glass is a good idea, i guess i could find a tank divider and keep my eels on one side and other fish on the other side.
Sorry Im sure your sick of this by now, thank you for all your information it is very much appreciated.
Lol, THANK YOU FOR REMINDNG ME of that fact. Well ive had the trigger for a few years now and (not that i dont like it) but i really want a fresh start in my tank. Ive had this thing running nonstop for 5 years! Growl.
The glass is a good idea, i guess i could find a tank divider and keep my eels on one side and other fish on the other side.
Sorry Im sure your sick of this by now, thank you for all your information it is very much appreciated.
hahah excellent point!
any last suggestions on possible fish/creatures that are unique and different that will fit in a 72g? thx
any last suggestions on possible fish/creatures that are unique and different that will fit in a 72g? thx