How do you stop your eel from escaping your tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
MonsterMinis;4721740; said:
I don't... infact my 75 doesn't have tops or lights on it at all.. My fire eels aren't inclined to jump. and since I moved my tire track into a tank with more hide spots and room. He's happy as a clam. My leopard eels attempted to jump the first few weeks and one was seriousely hurt after getting up into the filter. more driftwood and live plants to hide in, no more jumpy.

I always reccomend secure covers for spineys though, If i loose my own fish because of not covering the tank it's one thing. It's other peoples decision on what precautions to make for their own tanks.

PS - A happy eel doesn't try to jump ime.
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How can you make that statement and feel like it's accurate? We are taking (almost ALWAYS) wild caught fish (not to mention widely varying species!) that have evolved for thousands of years and putting them in a glass box. How can you define "happy?"
For example, there are almost no reports of spiny eel reproduction in nature, we simply don't know LOTS of things. These eels take years to sexually mature, how can we be sure at some point they aren't looking for needs other than food/shelter? It is often reported large adult specimens will suddenly try to escape tanks they have been fine in for years.
How do we know this also isn't a natural behavior of a survival strategy? Staying in one area of an aquatic environment can lead to depleted food sources, perhaps they instinctually "jump" into other ponds or areas of water in nature? I'm pretty sure these eels aren't "committing suicide" on purpose.
 
How do we know this also isn't a natural behavior of a survival strategy? Staying in one area of an aquatic environment can lead to depleted food sources, perhaps they instinctually "jump" into other ponds or areas of water in nature? I'm pretty sure these eels aren't "committing suicide" on purpose.
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Technically speaking, an eel jumping from one pond to another due to depleted food sources would do so out of unhappiness. So would an eel looking for a mate despite being unable to find one. But I agree that eel behaviour can be erratic even if our given conditions are supposedly perfect.
 
Decorative driftwood lines the back panels to weigh them down and the front panels are just too heavy and thick to be lifted.

Now if I could find a way to keep it out of my overflows.
 
Madding;4733230; said:
Decorative driftwood lines the back panels to weigh them down and the front panels are just too heavy and thick to be lifted.

Now if I could find a way to keep it out of my overflows.
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My overflow has a "fish screen" that came with it. Would this work for you?
Let me find a picture.
cpr-cs90-lg.jpg

It doesn't show it very well, but the screen goes in a U shape at the top to prevent sneaky little fish from swimming in.
 
i had a few tire tracks and peacocks take the plunge the easiest solution i fould was a thin piece of plexy glass i cut it to fit snug aroud the filter heater ect. then the only place they could go was into the filter which was an everyday thing
 
I have never had an eel end up in a filter or on the floor (knock on wood!) despite being way overstocked.. I did finally cover up all the holes with duct tape but they lived for a while with no more cover than the light strip.
My plan in the future is to cut eggcrate to fit as closely as possible around the top so they have no holes to escape from. Mine have never jumped but I hear so many stories it makes me scared..
 
aclockworkorange;4732496; said:
How can you make that statement and feel like it's accurate? We are taking (almost ALWAYS) wild caught fish (not to mention widely varying species!) that have evolved for thousands of years and putting them in a glass box. How can you define "happy?"
For example, there are almost no reports of spiny eel reproduction in nature, we simply don't know LOTS of things. These eels take years to sexually mature, how can we be sure at some point they aren't looking for needs other than food/shelter? It is often reported large adult specimens will suddenly try to escape tanks they have been fine in for years.
How do we know this also isn't a natural behavior of a survival strategy? Staying in one area of an aquatic environment can lead to depleted food sources, perhaps they instinctually "jump" into other ponds or areas of water in nature? I'm pretty sure these eels aren't "committing suicide" on purpose.
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I can say this because I currently own 3 different spiney eel species and have kept just about every type over the years except the African lake species, elipisifer, and Plagosi (sp? I always spell it wrong.) And the 3 species I do currently own are all growing very rapidily. 6 different fish with different personalities. A "happy" fish is a healthy specimin that stays in it's tank, is interactive and curoiuse about it's surroundings and overall showing signs of "Life" imo.

You are accurate that their are no documented succesful breedings in captivity with most of the spiney eels, and the ones that are I wouldn't call documented but "accidents". Proof was given but the documentation of breeding wasn't there 'nore the fishes habits. just "I have babies I have no clue where they came from!"

I also pointed out very well I think That because I don't cover most my tanks doesn't mean I don't reccomend others to because They can jump. I even pointed out the danger of them getting into filters ect, and How "stubby" Got hurt. His tank-top isn't sealed.. but you bet his filter is!


Good luck with the overflows Madding, I found mine stopped this fun game when i increased the flow into the tank with my larger one. and with the babies giveing them more hideing spots. So either might work.
 
If you're eel is happy in it's tank it will be less inclined to escape , try dimming the lights and providing more hiding places. And as a precaution block any gaps with filter wool and put a Big weight on the lid, also don't fill the tank to the top
 
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