Fire eels get to 3' in size, how large would tankmates need to grow to in order to live with a 3' fire eel? In other words, how large does a fish have to be to be safe from being eaten or killed by a fire eel? Right now, my fire eel is 10 inches and very friendly to all its tankmates. Will this change in the future when the eel gets huge?
How large do tankmates need to be for a 3 foot fire eel?
- Thread starter TheEelKing
- Start date
Fire Eels will not be aggressive with other tankmates unless they appear to be food. I have had a 16" with a 2-3 inch bala and had not a single problem.
The largest one I've seen is 30", so if you ever get to 3' then I'm sure you'll have figured out it's temperament. But, as a general rule, "if it can fit in the eels mouth it's a potential meal.". That being said, fire eels have been known to be very mild and peaceful tankmates and often do not bother fish small enough for them to eat. Do not trust this with prized fish. Easiest way to find out is to add some feeder minnows like rosies and see how it does. Personally, given the large space required for a 3 foot eel, I would not have tiny fish as tankmates. Rays are a great addition.
Justin
Justin
i keep roseis with my 3 fires.. and never have them picked off to my knowledge.. and my eels hand-feed readily and are not sh one bit.. so I know they aren't waiting for me to go away to eat.. I have had to seperate an Oscar from the tank who was beating up on my eels.. I'de be worried about dojo loaches, and any other "eel like fish" that could be mistake for a worm or another eel as they can be aggressive with conspecifics. Otherwise I wouldn't hesistate to put tetra, mollies, platies, ect with my guys. I wouldn't put anything I wouldn't be okay about potentially losing with them though. I'de also avoid common plecos, as they can get fairly territorial and could attack an eel.
the only aggression i see with my guys is between each other at feeding time usually, and the occasional nip of my "alpha fish" I've had a harder time finding tankmates that won't pick on them then what they won't pick on.
the only aggression i see with my guys is between each other at feeding time usually, and the occasional nip of my "alpha fish" I've had a harder time finding tankmates that won't pick on them then what they won't pick on.
I have a 32 inch with a 3 inch prochilotus and they are doing just fine together. I had a 14 inch with 1 inch datnoids and they also did fine together, but I power feed so my fish are never hungry.
Does anyone actually own a fire eel that is feeding on any kind of live feeder fish that's bigger than, say, a ghost shrimp? I'm just wondering whether the whole "a fire eel will eat anything that will fit in its mouth" thing isn't just a rumor. Also, can we kill the whole "fire eels grow to 3'" thing... maybe someone, somewhere is keeping a 3' fire eel, but that is one rare, rare creature. 30" would be at the far, far end of the scale IMO.
there are more then a few fishkeepers here that have fire eels over 30"... do some digging in the eel pictures. granted the majority of these fish are in large systems.. but it's certaintly not wrong to say they can get 3'+ in captivity .. just like any other species of fish they can be stunted. granted many do stay in the 2' range as well. since there is little to no knowledge as to these fish's breeding, sexing, lifespan, ect ect.. fish that do reach over 3' in size in captivity would likely be more common if more was known about them. at least this is my personal oppinion on the matter, and until solid proof to put these theorys to rest one way or another. not to mention you see large size differences in the sexs of many fish that evolved in the same general area these fish come from. so it's not to far off to suggest that these larger specimins are either adult females or males.. and the 2' fish we see of the same age the opposite sex. which would also suggest why not "all fire eels" get 3'+ in captivity... just a thought.
and to answer your question i know wet whiskers feeds hers steamed tilapia fillets? i believe and other strips of fish fillets. as for live fish feeders.. don't think so.
and to answer your question i know wet whiskers feeds hers steamed tilapia fillets? i believe and other strips of fish fillets. as for live fish feeders.. don't think so.