Need help from eel experts

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
D

Dark SSide

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 26, 2010
104
0
0
Toledo, OH
I currently have a 150g all male hap/peacock African cichlid tank. No aggressive mbuna. I am wanting to add some type of eel. I know that there are eels native to lake Tang. but are hard to come by around here. I was wondering if spiney eel, spiny half banded eel, or a fire eel would work in my tank. I have already built a stand for a new 8'x2' tank and will be recieving the tank and equipment over the next 2-4 weeks. The substrate is pool filter sand mixed with black(moon sand). I have about 300-400lbs of smooth limestone in the tank. Biggest fish is around 7" and smallest is around 3" but will grow fast. Fish will be anywhere from 7" to 14" as adults. I also have 7 syno catfish. Also if any eel will work how many can I have in an 8' tank. I was thinking just a few 2-4 in that size tank.

Thanks in advance,

Josh
 
Assumeing your PH is going to be in the 8's.. the simple answer is No.. Most spiney's come from soft, acidic water.. The tang eels being one of a few exceptions and iir the easiest to aquire. particularly w/ the limestone in the tank, You're likelyhood of proper acclimating one to such water is slim at best.
 
I got a Tang eel for my mbuna tank. It was well worth the wait and price. He's more outgoing than many eels I've seen, adjusted to my water parameters, and tough as nails. No problem getting him to take frozen food and very attractive. You'll need to watch out for the dietary differences. I use a glass coke bottle with some blood worms in it. The mbuna are too big to get in so he gets plenty of food without them messing with it.
 
Thank you for your honesty. Now that I know its is going to be the tang. eel, how many can I keep. Like I said it is gonna be a 8'by2' tank.
 
I would consider a trio. 2 may be okay.. but if they are like their cousins. having 3 will disperse aggressions better. Having never personally kept either of the 2 commonly kept species, I'm not 100% on this. And introduce them all at the same time. spiny eel conspecific aggression is similar to cichlids ime.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom