help : on starting an eel tank

new_world_disor · 10/16/2007, 10:36 AM

i went to a LFS today and they had some smallish eels in a tank. ( ill find out what they were ) anyways i thought it would be cool to have an eel tank.... wandered if anyone can offer any info on eel keeping. is it easy ? is a 21g tank big enough ? do i need anything other than stuff id use in my other reef tank ? lighting needs... food. etc

thanks for any helps

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justinl · 10/16/2007, 11:19 AM

There are two kinds of eels, pebble toothed (eats crustaceans) and sharp toothed (piscivorous). For tankmate choice you'll want to know what species the eel is. You'll also want to know species so you can decide whether or not you want a reef eel tank or not.

most eels are pretty easy to keep, hardy, accepting of a wide variety of food; keep in mind that there are a few no-no species though. research before you buy. not much in special tank requirements except for one big one. cover the tank. use a lid or canopy... whatever just so long as there are NO holes big enough for the eel to get through. and i mean none. because they will find it and slither out eventually.

riley290 · 10/16/2007, 11:20 AM

you may be able to keep a small snowflake eel for a little while in that size tank, but I'm pretty sure that most eels will grow to at least 2'.

new_world_disor · 10/16/2007, 11:24 AM

ah so a 21g is a bit small then . hmmm mite have to rethink i dont want to get another tank ( as i have my 30g as well ) and i have a 120g on the way next week.

10/16/2007, 10:36 AM	#1
new_world_disor Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: cardiff, wales Posts: 1,393	help : on starting an eel tank i went to a LFS today and they had some smallish eels in a tank. ( ill find out what they were ) anyways i thought it would be cool to have an eel tank.... wandered if anyone can offer any info on eel keeping. is it easy ? is a 21g tank big enough ? do i need anything other than stuff id use in my other reef tank ? lighting needs... food. etc thanks for any helps ad

10/16/2007, 11:19 AM	#2
justinl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,118	There are two kinds of eels, pebble toothed (eats crustaceans) and sharp toothed (piscivorous). For tankmate choice you'll want to know what species the eel is. You'll also want to know species so you can decide whether or not you want a reef eel tank or not. most eels are pretty easy to keep, hardy, accepting of a wide variety of food; keep in mind that there are a few no-no species though. research before you buy. not much in special tank requirements except for one big one. cover the tank. use a lid or canopy... whatever just so long as there are NO holes big enough for the eel to get through. and i mean none. because they will find it and slither out eventually.

10/16/2007, 11:20 AM	#3
riley290 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 167	you may be able to keep a small snowflake eel for a little while in that size tank, but I'm pretty sure that most eels will grow to at least 2'.

10/16/2007, 11:24 AM	#4
new_world_disor Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: cardiff, wales Posts: 1,393	ah so a 21g is a bit small then . hmmm mite have to rethink i dont want to get another tank ( as i have my 30g as well ) and i have a 120g on the way next week.