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  L# Peacock Eels?
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SubscribePeacock Eels?
Fish Guy
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Mega Fish
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male canada
I was wondering if anyone could give me some personal experinces with these awsome fish. I was wondering about tank size, feeding, tank mates, tempermant, decor, etc...........
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:53Profile PM Edit Report 
illustrae
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female usa
Unfortunately, I can't give you personal first-hand experience with these eels, but I've been doing a lot of research on them, as I hope to keep them in the near future as well.

Peacock eels are one of the small species of spiny eel, and will probably grow 12-15 inches long. I've heard that 20 gallons per eel is a good estimate for them. They will most likely get along with more than one in the same tank, but they'll like their space. They are peaceful and timid, but carnivorous, so small fish like neons and guppies would not make good tank mates. Larger peaceful fish would be good, though, like Gouramis, corys, giant danios, etc. Peaceful cichlids like festiviums and keyholes are okay, too.
A variety of frozen foods is probably the best diet for them, like blood worms, brine shrimp, krill, and beefheart, though many people have good luck with live "red-wiggler" earthworms cut into pieces. They will rarely eat prepared fish food such as pellets or flake.
They like to burrow in the substrate, so about an inch of sand is ideal for them. Any deeper than that, and you may never see them. They are also a scaleless fish, so smooth substrate is a must. If you don't get sand, smooth pebble gravel is okay. Provide a PVC pipe cave for them to hang out in during the day, as they are mostly nocturnal. Due to their burrowing habits, they may dig up plants from the substrate, so rhizome plants like java fern and anubias are good choices.

That's what I've got so far. I hope it helps.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:53Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Inkling
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female usa
I have also been researching eels, for one day I will purchase one. A 20g would be okay if you only had the eel in there. I woulg go with a 30g, at least. Eels need space and the tank needs to be 2g per inch of eel, according to my sorces. (They need room to move around the tank, though, they will probubly hide most of the time) ^_^ Thats all I know...

Inky
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:53Profile Homepage AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
bowfinking
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male usa
I had one a long time ago in a ten gallon. Definitely not the optimum size, though it seemed to do fine. It was constantly buried with its nose sticking out of the substrate, and would not accept any prepared foods. It relished earthworms, however. Make sure your tank is covered, because they will exit it if given an opportunity.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
niggit
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female canada
one thing that i thought i would reiterate is that they are fairly secrative. i have a friend who has one, and he said it only comes out (that he sees) about once a month or so.

he comes out, swims around in the open for a time, then goes back into hiding for another few weeks. i imagine that he's coming out at night or when they're not around, too, but it just goes to show that they are fairly shy.

something you may want to consider!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bowfinking
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Oh, one more thing: Do not use an undergravel filter, as they can get caught under the plate.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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