spiny Eel for a 75g?
- Thread starter Kelly_Aquatics
- Start date
I did find one online a week ago, but it was 120 dollars, so a bit pricy.
I mean it depends on what you want and what is local because if its spiny eels their are quite of few species that can fill the bill but some are rare example the majority of the spiny eels in lake tanganyika, then their are fish that are rather elongated as these fish including the spiny’s are not true eels bichirs like you know are called sometimes the dinosaur eel, then their are the dragons eels which are in reality the violet gobies(Gobioides broussonnetii), and some find that the water cow goby(Bleotris fusca) rather eel like, then their are wolffish(family Erythrinidae)and bowfin(Amia calva) which I find rather eel-like and because you are in the americas maybe you can find a farm that sell american eels(Anguilla rostrata) and these guys are true eels then their is the true freshwater moray eel(Gymnothorax polyuranodon) then are loaches that are rather eel like example: dojo loaches(Misgurnus anguillicaudatus),purple Yangtze loach(Leptobotia bellacauda), royal clown loach(Leptobotia elongata). Then their is a species of lungfish that grows too a smaller size than other species of lungfish its called the gilled lungfish(Protopterus amphibius). I know most of these may grow too big for a 75 gallon but it all depends on personal preference.
All the visuals are in the thread you had linked. I don't believe I lucked out but our black spotted eels are 6 years old and have been kept in a bit larger than usual tank for most of their live with us (240 gal 8x2x2; only recently they have gone into 1800 gal) ... perhaps it is a gender disparity, IDK enough about them. There is a reason why one of ours is stuck at 18" and
kno4te
's is too and others state the 20" max, which I hope is taken from serious sources (links would be desirable; like this link says IMPORTED at up to 20" https://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Eels/BlackSpottedEel.php ). Same link says: Size of fish - inches: 20.0 inches (50.80 cm) - Fish of over 20 inches (50.8 cm) are commonly imported. There is some question over the maximum adult size of this fish, it is established at over 20 inches. How much it may exceed this is unclear. Lifespan: 18 years - Spiny eels have a lifespan of 8-18 years. https://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Eels/BlackSpottedEel.php
FishBase https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Mastacembelus-dayi.html says 1 foot (only because scientific literature hasn't described bigger specimen).
I tend to think in the wild, they reach 3 to 4 feet (I went to google to try find support for it but failed!). There must be a reason why some stay under 20" in our hands after many years. We just don't get it why. We should try.
But long story short, it may be a gamble for you as for anyone else and also, if you are wary that your eel may outgrow your tank, you could prearrange a hand off with someone local to you with an adequate tank before even getting your eel.
I much appreciate it, Kolton, albeit I most vehemently disagree. I believe in a well-meaning community.
ok maybe not the best idea then unless I buy one that is several years old and maxed out at 18?
If you cover for the possibility of any fish outgrowing your tank with an LFS or a friend or a peer from MFK, I see no moral objection to trying any fish. Just my 2 cents.
Have you considered Malawi spiny eels, probably impossible to find, but they are a foot.
ok I might give it a go I also have my 125g it could go in if it outgrows the 75g but is that any better?
If you are too get one and put it in the 125 you are gonna have too put lots of substate too promote digging. Also
thebiggerthebetter
have you seen any negative side effects of putting species that commonly dig like spiny eels without any substrate?
