American Eels can tolerate almost anything. Have you ever seen them attack crayfish? Mine decided he was going to eat the biggest crayfish I have. He snatched him up and proceeded to the corner of the tank to death-spiral him until his claws flew off. It was CRAZY.
Back on topic:
Why? Interest. They aren't captive bred, they aren't farmed, and they aren't colorful decorations to impress visitors. OR: Some jerk in a store doesn't determine how much you will pay him because he had to have this poor fish shipped 1500 miles in a rubbermaid tub to be put in a substandard environment and oogled over. Very similar to animals. Anyone can go to a petstore and buy a sugarglider and be 'cool'. But to me an Alligator Snapper or common Crow are far more interesting.
I'm not attacking anyone either - just my feelings. All my fish are rescues (nephews net, dog, etc.) with the exception of crayfish. I keep them to clean up the bottom of the tank. They eat everything. Although (strangely enough) their favorite food is Krill. Odd, I know.
