Underrated eels and where to find them

xenacanth9

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Apr 19, 2021
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Some cool, underrated (true) eels that you should give a shot:

Moringua raitaborua: The Purple Spaghetti/Pink Paddletail Eel
1632431799423.png

A small, thin eel. They're not that common, but they're out there and likely will not run you any more than $20 USD. Will seldom exceed 20" and not particularly aggressive. Do fairly well in communities, I hear. They fare better in light brackish water, but fresh may work as long as you are very attentive. Eat mostly smaller, frozen stuff.

Pisodonophis boro: The Rice-Paddy Eel

Not to be confused with swamp eels, which sometimes are referred to as rice-paddy eels. Swamp eels are much larger, dirtier, more aggressive, not true eels, and in some states even illegal. P. boro is a true snake eel from the family Ophichthidae. They are very similar to paddletails in terms of care, though often get bigger-- typically a little upward of 2'. However, much like the paddletails, they are rather thin. They are not impossible to find online, and I have seen them for sale from $5-$15, so definitely worth it, in my opinion. Their recommended diet is pretty similar to that of the paddletail.

Anguillia rostrata: The American Eel
1632432571742.png

A North American native, American eels are very hardy and incredibly easy to find in the states. They usually get about 2' in captivity (they can get a fair amount larger in the wild) and are very thick and sturdy-- not too dissimilar to freshwater moray eels, though perhaps hardier and sturdier. These eels will eat a LOT-- from earthworms, to fish, to really, all sorts of stuff. They can also live for a very long time out of water. They are rarely sold as pets, but they are not hard to find in bait stores, and as food. One concern is that they are endangered-- however, most American eels on the market are farm-raised. They can live in fresh-brackish, and even saltwater for a period of time.

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PartyHacks

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 20, 2019
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I almost bought one last year but could not find enough info on them. plus read they would hide for months at a time in sand haha
 
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latapy10

Piranha
MFK Member
Nov 9, 2019
416
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Europe
my first paddletail eel never hide, but second one always was hidden...it depends of each individual fish...
It is very shame that they are brackish fish...
 
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spotfin

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Jan 2, 2006
4,718
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Maine
Some cool, underrated (true) eels that you should give a shot:

Moringua raitaborua: The Purple Spaghetti/Pink Paddletail Eel
View attachment 1473807

A small, thin eel. They're not that common, but they're out there and likely will not run you any more than $20 USD. Will seldom exceed 20" and not particularly aggressive. Do fairly well in communities, I hear. They fare better in light brackish water, but fresh may work as long as you are very attentive. Eat mostly smaller, frozen stuff.

Pisodonophis boro: The Rice-Paddy Eel

Not to be confused with swamp eels, which sometimes are referred to as rice-paddy eels. Swamp eels are much larger, dirtier, more aggressive, not true eels, and in some states even illegal. P. boro is a true snake eel from the family Ophichthidae. They are very similar to paddletails in terms of care, though often get bigger-- typically a little upward of 2'. However, much like the paddletails, they are rather thin. They are not impossible to find online, and I have seen them for sale from $5-$15, so definitely worth it, in my opinion. Their recommended diet is pretty similar to that of the paddletail.

Anguillia rostrata: The American Eel
View attachment 1473810

A North American native, American eels are very hardy and incredibly easy to find in the states. They usually get about 2' in captivity (they can get a fair amount larger in the wild) and are very thick and sturdy-- not too dissimilar to freshwater moray eels, though perhaps hardier and sturdier. These eels will eat a LOT-- from earthworms, to fish, to really, all sorts of stuff. They can also live for a very long time out of water. They are rarely sold as pets, but they are not hard to find in bait stores, and as food. One concern is that they are endangered-- however, most American eels on the market are farm-raised. They can live in fresh-brackish, and even saltwater for a period of time.

View attachment 1473806
The North American eel isn't listed as endangered, yet. The stock, however, is declining. Very few are raised here in the US, and those are for the sushi market. Eels found in bait shops are wild caught.
 
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