ID of this eel please

[DrownedFishonFire]

Not into eels but this slippery fella has been giving me quite a trouble trying to catch it ever since I had it for 2 weeks now. Now its in a container by itself so it won't jump out or give me the slip again. At first I thought it was a peacock but now I'm not so sure anymore

 

[MonsterMinis]

M. Dayii 100% both mine looked like this until they hit the 6"+ mark.. also seem to darken up when stressed. the pale top-line and larger spots comeing in give it away. the TT like head is also a dead give-away =) These guys imo get absolutely stunning as they get bigger.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

Would it be okay with the loaches when it comes to feeding time, I've not seen it eat once it has been in the tank with all clowns.. it just cowered in the hiding spots only showing its head.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

Now am excited and am going to eel proof the tank any recomendations about the filter issues that I've read up about eels trying to get into.

The guy that sold me the eel had another one and it committed "suicide" so I don't want the same thing to happen to this one.

 

[MonsterMinis]

I've found mine to be voracious eaters, takeing bloodworms and krill w/out much problem. when they are small I found spot feeding them with a pipette or small turkey baster to make sure they get their share works well. I've "pippet trained" more then a few spiney eels to make sure they are getting their share. w/ the competition for food w/ clowns .. I would try this method. Mine also startd changeing color and getting more out-going about the same time. They are shy and nocturnal so the hideing in the corner with it's head out is normal behavior.. I doubt it's being bullied if it's pokeing it's head out.. but it may also be hungry.

the best thing you can do to keep it from jumping is to keep the water quality excellent and have more then enough hideing spots to make it comfortable. low water flow seems to also encourage these guys to go up filters, or the search for food. Or if a tank is to small. I've used tape to keep filter lids from being moved. I would also suggest some form of netting/screening. But ultimately the best thing usually you can do is drop the wate level 2" or so. Both of mine have taken trips up my filters.. and despite every precaution the only time they did it was when I over-filled the water abit to much so they could get up inot it. othr then peacock eels these have been the 2nd hardest species for me to keep in a tank.

 

[jclyde13]

M. Dayii 100% both mine looked like this until they hit the 6"+ mark.. also seem to darken up when stressed. the pale top-line and larger spots comeing in give it away. the TT like head is also a dead give-away =) These guys imo get absolutely stunning as they get bigger.

I'm glad you got to this thread before I did, I was about to say M. armatus until I read your post and noticed the spotting on the head and pectoral fins.

 

[MonsterMinis]

the first one I got caught my eye as at first I thought it was an armatus.. but quickly realized it was a species I've never seen before. Also the pics arne't excellent... but in the last pic you can see these guys do have an actual "tail" fin unlike more other spineys. I'm not sure if as they mature this tail more or less vanishes, as both of mine go their tails chewed up in the filter.

Also on a side note Proteus.. from what I've seen of these guys it's likely the other one chased it's tank-mate out of the tank. When mine where little they had some pretty intense con-specific aggression and I seperated mine before anyone could be killed. I recently re-introduced them.. and have had I'de say OK results so far. there is def aggression but the dominant one isn't constantly harassing the other. I would def not mix yours with other spineys unless you grew another out and introduced them together to a new tank.

My overall experiances with them I would lump them as a slightly more docile version of a tire track. Mine are def fish eaters as well. so anything mouth sized is fair game.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

Sweet! Okay I'll try to keep the water level to 2''

How fast of a grower are those guys? your remark about it being 6'' is on the dot, as I think its 6'' myself.


lol the eel was the most difficult fish I've ever handled ever! tried to net it in when I thought I had it, it was gone, and to just have it stay still to take photos and catching it was a pain, I just got frustrated and kept it in a 3g container with lid shut overnight in the tank so it wouldn't give me the slip again until yesterday when I put it back in the tank. The loach tank and its happy as theres too many cracks/crevices etc for it to chill out in that I made for the loaches too. I was just happy to have those photos and get it over with.

 

[MonsterMinis]

LOL most spineys are pretty sassy... Mine have grown steady.. but not as fast as say my fires or TT has. I would say 1" every other month or so seems about right. But I wouldn't doubt they could grow 1" per month the first year if power-fed or really bulked up.