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Tell you what C_o_L, when Liverpool Museum's Lottery-funded refit is complete, I'l take a peek and see if they've rebuilt the aquarium section. And if they've rebuilt the Fire Eel tank in the process. If they rebuild it in a manner similar to the original I'll try and get a photo ... I think you'd like it

Trouble is, like all such big projects (they have a £37 million budget to work through ) it's taking rather a long time. Sigh.

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

That would be AWESOME, Cass.

Two years in 33 gallons won't be possible in my opinion. The other problem is that the likelyhood of you finding one under 10" is rare. I have only seen them that small a couple times. Alot of them are also wild caught because of the difficulties involved in breeding them which means they are ususally 1 ft. in length or more once they arrive at your LFS. As for availability, they come from Asia and you're closer to that part of the world than I am. I would think it wouldn't be that hard to find one in your area. Also keep in mind that they are not always in season so it's not a fish you can just find every day in any LFS.

how would one of those do in a 33g for 2 years?? whats their growth rate like. And how hard would it be for me to get one in the uk ?

thankx

If you like the Dottyback/Spiney species, there are others who only need around 55 gallons, even when having reached full adult size.

bloomin-eck thats alot of gallons. ashame they need such a large tank......unfortunately my 33g is no match...........................

Unfortunately, for a full grown eel, quite a large tank as they get 3+ feet long. Mine is in a 55 gallon as we speak, then will move to a 90 gallon, and then even bigger from there. For a full grown, I'd say at least 150-200 gallons if not more...150 gallons being absolutely minimum.

Last edited by 1tankneverenuff at 14-Mar-2005 14:33

what size tank fo you need to house a fire eel?

That's insane!

For those who think Dottyback "eels" are highly aggressive and territorial towards one another, check out what I found my Fire and Tire Track eels doing earlier today...

http://www.fishbowlaquariums.com/images/other/eels1.jpg

http://www.fishbowlaquariums.com/images/other/eels3.jpg

It was amazing when I saw it! The two bad boys just hangin' out together until nightfall...as they are nocturnal creatures. The rock they are in is a 20+ lbs. piece of lace rock that is completely hollowed out inside which creates a huge cave inside for them. I love my eels!

Last edited by 1tankneverenuff at 12-Mar-2005 12:14

The description alone of that tank gives me goosebumps. At Sea World San Diego, there was a similarly sized tank, severly underfurnished as it was, it only held one fire eel (with several large North American natives). Though the fellar was HUGE; I believe he had hit 3' by the time I left.

I've always understood that Fire Eels like each other's company. Liverpool Museum had some gorgeous ones before the aquarium refit. Mind you, they did have something like a 1,000 gallon aquarium to themselves, so that was probably why!!!

They were incredible. Only ever seen them that size at the Museum. These must have been a good 2½ feet each at least. Heads were the size of my clenched fist. Aquarium was lit using a spotlight arrangement through floating plants to create a sort of dappled sunlight effect with shady areas. The Fire Eels loved it - they were active and visible to all the visitors, not a hint of shyness. And when they did feel like a chillout session, they'd entwine themselves around big pieces of bogwood root. Wonderful spectacle.



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

That is true. And, although it may be rare, I have seen Dottybacks attack one another.

Really? I was not aware of this. All things considered, I have always known them as being social fish, with a shy, secretive personality to boot; even the gargantuan fire eel, and I've worked with a good few. Many fishkeeping books often attribute preadatory instinct with aggressiveness, which we should all know, is not the case.

Actually, alot of online profiles caution any hobbyists new to the fish because they are said to be aggressive and territorial.

Whoever said that they were intolerant of each other? Spinies LOVE company. Great fish, btw. I've always wanted a fire eel. As it stands, the only eels I have the room for are peacocks.

I wanted to just insert the pictures into the post, but I just went ahead and did the link tags instead because the image tags didn't work. Thanks!

Nice pics...you have to write link instead of img

Last edited by robby1619 at 12-Mar-2005 12:07

Last edited by robby1619 at 12-Mar-2005 12:09

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