Peacock Eel behavior question

[IAMONE]

Hi everyone, great eels you all seem to have from the pic threads. I got a spotted peacock eel a few days ago from the LFS. I had been there a few days in a row and did the research before picking him up for my 55 gallon community tank. At the LFS they had him in medium sized gravel and every time I went there he was burrowed. He was in a pretty bare tank with a number of smallish cats. Anyway, I got him out of the tank myself using a container and my hand to shoo him into it since I've seen the way some of the kids at the store net the fish. So, I've got him here in his new home with about 20 neon tetras, 5 guppies, 5 serpae tetras and 3 rosy barbs. Everyone gets along nicely so that's cool. The problem, if there is one, is that the eel hasn't burrowed once since I've added him. The substrate is PFS wish some black sand added. He seems super active and I had thought they were mainly nocturnal and kinda hid out during the day. He has tons of hiding places that he does hang out in, a cave, a terra cotta plant pot, a rock overhang and various live and plastic plants. So, any ideas? Is this typical behavior? Maybe since his glass cage is new to him he is just exploring and getting used to everything.

Thanks,
Matthew

Here's some pics of the little monster:

 

[IAMONE]

I wasn't sure if I should edit or reply and seeing that I am too tired to find an edit button here goes nothing... From some online research and an LFS employee that I have come to trust, Mr. Eely's behavior seems to fall under the category of 'comfortable enough not to be hiding' in his new environment. Today, similar to my puffers, (in other tanks,) he has decided that the the bubble wall on the side glass is the best thing since sliced worms. So, no more worries from me I guess. Everything I had read before I purchased him suggested that burrowing should be an expected behavior which is why I posted. I believe that is counter-intuitive given an appropriate environment for both his species and his personality. The latter, of course, entirely due to luck. So anyway, before you fellow eelers reply en masse, I guess I answered my own question pertaining to his behavior. <insert sarcasm emoticon here>... I'll be sure to post some more questions in the eel forum later when I feel like being ignored! <double sarcasm emoticon goes here>

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[moosipher]

Apologies for finding this thread so late.. how is the eel going at present? any changes to the behaviour? My Clown Eel is muchly similar, but he hides all the times.. I have a well planted/gravelled tank, with some large pieces of piping in the rear of the tank for him to shufty about in, and he is in with four pearl gouramies, and a number of teeny bristlenoses.. I do see him occassionally cruise about for a bit of food, but only ever in the evening.

 

[KYeasting]

I have a peacock eel as well. When I bought him, I had fine gravel in the tank with a terracotta pot, large seashell and some plants. He didn't bury himself for about 2 weeks, and even if he did it was for short periods of time. He spent the rest of his time pretending to be seaweed, swaying around in the current while watching my ottos swim past his nose...... Or he would slide into the seashell and bunk with my ABK. I have since switched my tank over to black M3 colorquartz sand I never see him. I have to poke around in the sand to find him when its time for food. I've got far more plants and cover now and I still never see the fish. It's quite a scaredy-cat as well!

 

[Wet Whiskers]

When I first got my peacock eel he hid in all the holes I provided for him, but never burrowed (I guess why go to the effort if all you have to do it hang out in a hole). Anyways, I've had him for a while now, and he is crazy active. He swims madly from one side of the tank to the other when he wants to be fed, and will take the red wrigglers straight from my hand. He was raised with a bunch of active fire eels, who have since outgrown the tank and been moved, but I think having the company helped.