My 27" fire eel escaped yesterday

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mamapuff;4056791; said:
Err.. I bet if you take a poll of how many fishkeepers here have taken out a fish to measure, you would be a little surprised. If someone is going to pay a good chunk of change, they shouldn't have to rely on someones "eyeball" measurement. I have a horrible sense of judgment when it comes to that. I thought my RTC was at 9 inches, but doing a wc a few days ago, and massaging his gills (thanks Jenn), I measured him and holy moly I was off. He's 12.5 inches.....

Example: If you are getting a fished shipped to you that your buying, and say its a discus for example. The person you are buying from says it's a 7 inch discus, and you are paying $200 for it, and it arrives and its only 4 inches (which yes makes a difference in price......) most fishkeepers would be pi$$ed to pay that price for that size fish, when they were told something different.

If you knew the OP, even just from the forums, you would know what a fantastic fishkeeper she is. Please read the entire thread before you comment on something she didn't even do in the first place. Only after youmisinterpreted the thread did she state she did in order to give a buyer a measurement.
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i did read the whole thread and thats why im saying it is really stupid to take out your fish for a measurement. i never said the op was a bad fish keeper, im just saying why stress out your fish for a measurement. maybe you are a bad fish keeper if you cant keep your hands off of your fish. like i said use a measuring tape. im 100% positive that if you have some patient and watch your fish every day, witch you probably already do. you can catch them by the side of the tank, then you get a measuring tape and measure them. common sense
 
my bad, I didn't go back to reread the thread since my first post and forgot the reason the eel got out. But seriously. Have you ever seen an eel stretched out straight enough to get a accurate measurement?
 
mamapuff;4057024; said:
my bad, I didn't go back to reread the thread since my first post and forgot the reason the eel got out. But seriously. Have you ever seen an eel stretched out straight enough to get a accurate measurement?
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I have. The way I measure my eel is by holding a piece of krill at the top of the water and measuring it while it is in a vertical position, trying to get the krill out of my hand. The only problem I have is that its tail keeps moving, so it is hard to get a perfect measurement, but I can still get it at least within a half inch of its actual size.
 
I've never measure out of the water my eels, or any fish that wasn't for sale. I'd never do that to my babies. I really, REALLY make sure I take every precaution to ensure they don't get cut, scraped or stressed. I would neve pull out a sensitive fish for a measurement, and my tin foil hasn't missed a beat. (Think he was out for less than 10 seconds). I set up padding, a platic barrier to prevent slime coat loss, used a high end silk net, and had only a quick glimpse at him next to the tape. I didn't even get a photo. I've even been laughed at for buying a nice net for my feeder fish so they don't get scales caught in a cheap, rough net. The measurement I got was the best guess I can get, and I think it's good. However, my word is all I have, and if I'm going to give someone my word, I'm going to make sure it's good. Mama... I appreciate the defense. You know from many threads and interactions that I treat my fish like family members. My mistake in this was underestimating the power my eel possessed. I did not think he could lift all that. I was wrong. I maintain that measuring a tin foil to get an idea how big an entire group is, is 100% okay. Underestimating your 27" fire eel's strength... Not so good.

Btw, how's the rtc?
 
tigrey;4058017; said:
wet whiskers you should make a pic update on your fire eel, i wanna see some pics!
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I'm sorry for no pics right now. I'm buying a house, moving, learning/doing business taxes, and tired. I'm excited to get you pics for you guys, but it's going to be a couple days till I can. I'll hunt down my underwater camera housing and get some good photos. :)
 
Wet Whiskers;4058127; said:
I've never measure out of the water my eels, or any fish that wasn't for sale. I'd never do that to my babies. I really, REALLY make sure I take every precaution to ensure they don't get cut, scraped or stressed. I would neve pull out a sensitive fish for a measurement, and my tin foil hasn't missed a beat. (Think he was out for less than 10 seconds). I set up padding, a platic barrier to prevent slime coat loss, used a high end silk net, and had only a quick glimpse at him next to the tape. I didn't even get a photo. I've even been laughed at for buying a nice net for my feeder fish so they don't get scales caught in a cheap, rough net. The measurement I got was the best guess I can get, and I think it's good. However, my word is all I have, and if I'm going to give someone my word, I'm going to make sure it's good. Mama... I appreciate the defense. You know from many threads and interactions that I treat my fish like family members. My mistake in this was underestimating the power my eel possessed. I did not think he could lift all that. I was wrong. I maintain that measuring a tin foil to get an idea how big an entire group is, is 100% okay. Underestimating your 27" fire eel's strength... Not so good.

Btw, how's the rtc?
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He's doing very well, thanks for asking :) Growing nicely and plumping up. His personality is just blossoming. My dad is driving into town today, and I held off on feeding last night so he can see how he hand feeds. How is your hybrid doing. I was following your posts. Did the supplies come in yet? Are you and your husband going to tackle him by yourselves, or have another person come restrain? I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that all goes well and he gets better after his treatment.
 
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