How does your fire eel breathe?

[Mercury2234]

Just wondering, Ive had my fire eel for a little over a month now (btw, hes grown ALOT). Anyhoo, it seems ever since I got him he breathes a bit faster than my other fish in the tank.

That is, his gills are going up and out faster than say a spotted gar or a ClownKnife.

Ive tried before with a lot of current in my tank, but he seems to be breathing the same.

Has anybody made that observation? Just thinking because the last thing I want is an oxygen deprived eel. He is eating handily and tank parameters are perfect...zeroes across the board, 5 nitrates. Temp at 80...

 

[Wet Whiskers]

My eels have always breathed faster than the others. Current, temp, water parameters... nothing has ever changed this. As long as they don't seem like they might be itchy with gill flukes or something, I think they are just fine.

 

[Mercury2234]

Ahh good...because he seems to have a normal reflex and his movements arent impaired by any means. Moreover, when he eats and is full he breathes EVEN faster.

 

[prskiller]

Mines does the same and I have lots of oxy in the tank.

 

[zack12]

I just got my fire eel about 5 days ago and i saw him alot the first two days i put him in there... but now i havent seen him in a couple days and i am getting nervous. my tank is very well sealed. is this normal?? and he has not ate since i got him from what i can tell... is this also normal. this is my first eel