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Eel ID, probably no moray eel 2/28/07
Are there any moray species that stand on their tails and have their throats
inflated? I have heard of tulip eels doing this which are supposed to be very
aggressive. I do not have any good pictures of my fish to help determine if he
is a moray or not, but the LFS sold him as a moray.
<Moray eels rather hide instead of standing on their tails. They inflate their
throats while breathing. To get an idea of the ID a good picture is necessary.
Without a picture you should try looking at
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/congridae.htm and
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ophichthidae.htm and http://www.wetwebmedia.com/morays.htm
for marine eels. Have a look at
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/anguillids.htm and
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/matacembelids.htm
for freshwater eels. Check the related FAQs, too. Also check FishBase by
entering the family names you found on WetWebMedia and selecting ‘all fishes’ to
get a link to photos. For the swamp eel check Monopterus alba. It has a very
typical head much unlike a real moray.>
I do not know growth rates of the swamp eel but my fish has not grown but little
in length but he has gained some girth and he has eaten quite a bit for a year
now. He also no longer has a pointed tail it is rounding out with possible fins
can not see close enough.
Am I in a bad situation if mine is a swamp eel with my Gymnothorax tile?
<I would not recommend keeping any of them with other fishes maybe except their
own species. May work for years, but even the scat is potential prey. Read the
freshwater moray articles on WWM.>
So far they are both sharing the tree root ornament to hide in peacefully. I
have my toad fish and red scat and the G. tile has no problems with them either
and even lies on top the toad fish when out. I have seen people with swamp eels
on monsterfishkeepers.com, but they are in fresh water. I have a brackish setup.
The main question I have if this is a swamp eel should I be looking into finding
him a new home at some point?
<Yes. Swamp eels need fresh water to lower end brackish water, the moray eel
needs high end brackish or full strength marine water, both are incompatible.>
Thanks for your advice on this.
<You are welcome. Cheers, Marco.>
Freshwater moray eel help 4/10/06
Hi, my name is Connor and i have 3 questions:
<Hello, my name is Bob and I have many more>
(1) I have been looking for a freshwater moray eel everywhere and i cant
find one anywhere near me i live in Clearwater FL. and have a 20 gallon tank
(2)
if I have any more room in my tank would another moray have space and if not
is there any other fish that can be put into the tank with it.
(3) is there
somewhere were i can find more about like what it eats.
thank you so much for your help.
<Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwmorayeels.htm
and the linked file above... and use the scientific names there to look
elsewhere on the Net, particularly fishbase.org
Bob Fenner>
Eel suitable with goldfish 2/13/06
Hi there,
what a fantastic website.
Just need some answer for my questions.
I have 70 litres aquarium (not sure) but it is 75cm length, 60cm depth and 40cm
width.
And full with 13 fantail goldfish.
<Too crowded... This volume is suitable for 2-3>
Seems like it is too crowded, and having plan to get rid some of those goldfish
and get couple eels and could sucker fish (not sure what you call them). Any
idea, what kind of eels that suit my goldfish?
<None>
OR any other animal looks like snake that suit my goldfish? How many fish are
better to stay in my aquarium? Thanks heaps. -Stephanie-
<The coldwater species get too large, eat goldfish... Bob Fenner>
Freshwater eel ? 12/21/05
Hello Bob, My name is Seth and I have (a what the store owner
called)
an African eel.
<There are a few possibilities here>
He lives in my freshwater aquarium that hosts a small
community. He has a striped/spotted pattern that gets lighter and
darker or more defined as he hides. Recently I noticed that upon coming
out of the sand, the front half of his body was light colored and the
rear half is darker (more defined pattern). I figured that maybe its
his chameleon way of camo. but it hasn't changed back to one solid
consistency. He still eats regularly and is very responsive to my
movement as well as other fish. Is there reason for concern or is this
two tone a natural tendency?
Thank you ~Seth.
<Hard to say w/o actual identification of the species. Is this a spiny
eel (family Mastacembelidae), or does it appear to be a "true" eel (lack spines
in its fins)? Can you send along an image? Bob Fenner>
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Re: Freshwater eel? 12/24/05
Its fins appear to be transparent. I have not seen a photo on the
web
that looks like this one. There is a poor quality photo attached that
maybe you will recognize.
<Yes, is a spiny eel... member of the family Mastacembelidae. Please see
this family's African members on fishbase.org. Bob Fenner> |
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Monopterus / Swamp "Eel" - 08/09/2005
I recently purchased this cutey from a local fish store. They had the poor
guy in a too-light tank with no hiding spaces.
<Poor feller!>
I have always wanted eel-like creatures in my 75-gallon, and I thought anything
would be better than where he was now.
<Likely so.>
I waited a week, checked in on him twice, tested my tank, and took him home.
<Keep in mind all the possibilities that a quarantine tank offers you.... ! >
After researching almost fruitlessly on the internet for care articles for this
species (which you can find by the handful in Asian rice paddies),
<Also by the handful on Google.... Just search on "Monopterus". Seems "alba"
is almost as commonly used as "albus". Fishbase has it as "albus". http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=4663&genusname=Monopterus&speciesname=albus
>
I decided the best thing to do was go fishing for public advice.
<No pun intended, I'm sure? <gfin> >
It's been about a week. He seems as comfortable as possible, and I have provided
him a few small feeder fish whenever he gets the urge to have a bite (as well as
about a thousand tiny snails).
<Does he eat the snails?>
He has no aggressive tankmates.
<As he grows, he may EAT his tankmates.... all....>
I have been keeping the tank lights off until he has time to adjust.
<Good.>
He's got plenty of hiding spaces.
<Also good.>
I would like advice any of you have with this species - actually not a true eel.
He hasn't eaten anything yet (that I know of),
<BAD.>
but I will not worry for another week about that.
<Begin worrying right away. Food is of the utmost importance with new wild
imports - try everything you can get your hands on.>
Any suggestions for meaty foods besides tiny feeder fish?
<Frozen "Formula One" cubes by Ocean Nutrition, bits of thawed frozen raw shrimp
or other fish/seafood, live shrimp.... just anything you can get into him, for
starters. 'Course, I'm not sure if he is "eel-like" in that he can go for many
weeks without food, so this may not be as urgent as I see it. I'd be shaking in
my shoes in a few days, if it were my fish.>
Will they eat dead food?
<Uncertain. Eventually, he should. You may have to start him on strictly live
foods. Perhaps even insects, like crickets?>
Should I purchase a feeding stick?
<Couldn't hurt. I prefer a very long, clear straw, myself.... cheaper, and
comes in packs of 100 ;) >
Any advice would be golden. Thanks!!
~M
<Wishing you and your new, very interesting pal well, -Sabrina>
Monopterus / Swamp "Eel" - II - 08/16/2005
Good morning crew!
<Good morning!>
I wrote in last week concerning the Monopterus Albus/Alba (swamp "eel"). I was
worried a bit that he didn't seem to be eating.
<Yes, I recall.>
I have tried everything I can get my hands on to entice him... I tried a
makeshift "feeding stick" a few times and wiggled some shrimp in front of him -
no response, not even negative. None of the remaining feeder fish have
disappeared. I bought frozen brine shrimp cubes and he isn't even curious. He
MAY be eating the tiny snails littering the tank (they seem fewer in number, and
they ARE slow), but I cannot be sure. I sit and watch the guy for hours in the
dark, and he just seems to be hanging out. He'll travel the length of the tank,
but slowly. Sometimes when the light is on and he's out and about, he seems very
weak (may be his sensitive eyes, but I'm more concerned that it's lack of
nutrition).
<Yeah, I'd be pretty concerned, as well.>
I plan on trying some type of worm (maybe earthworms or caterpillars),
<Skip the caterpillars! Or at least research the caterpillar species,
first. Some are toxic. Earthworms are a great idea.... Drop 'em right in
front of him, perhaps just after lights-out....>
but beyond that, beyond force-feeding the guy, I am at a loss. Any last-ditch
suggestions?
<DEFINATELY try live ghost shrimp. I would be surprised if he wouldn't chow
down on a couple.>
Should I isolate him in a smaller area? Tie a live fish to his head?? I am
getting very worried, as I don't want this creature to suffer. I'll do ANYTHING
to help the poor guy out!
<If the ghost shrimp are a hit, keep in mind that they're easy to breed - if you
have the space, this may be an option to keep in mind.>
Thanks so much
~M
<Got my fingers crossed for him.... Wishing you both well, -Sabrina>
What FW eel do I have? and do you have any advice for me?
Hi I recently got a moray eel from my friends fish shop they got them in
freshwater and I have a fresh water tank. Today I went to another fish shop and
asked about him they told me that I should put him in salt water. So I spoke to
my friend and he said that it was the first time they ever got a "freshwater"
moray eel and he really doesn't know. He's at least 1 meter long and 3cm thick
(1.5inches I think). He looks very much like this picture but no one knows his
species. Any advice you have would greatly be appreciated (before it dies) which
i hope it doesn't.
Thank you. Argyris Papageorgiou.
>> I can not see the photo you have sent. You are in South Africa, so I am
assuming that this is a marine species. Some young eels go into the estuaries of
rivers. E-mail me the photo of your eel to this address, especially a close up
of the head: eel@belowwater.com, Thanks, Oliver
Freshwater Eel, maybe
Hi. I just bought a Moray eel from my local pet store. They have it listed
as a freshwater eel and recommended I keep it with other freshwater fish. So I
put him in my freshwater tank. Later that night I did some research on the
internet and even chatted with a few moray hobbyist. What I found was that
there is no such thing as a freshwater Moray. The hobbyists I chatted with
recommended I put the Moray in a separate tank and slowly introduce sea salt.
They also recommended I email you with any further questions. So, my first
question is, who do I believe, the guys at the pet store, or the hobbyists?
My next question is, given that the Moray does in fact need salt water, what is
the desired level of salinity, and how fast (or slowly) should I introduce the
sea salt to my tank?
Thanks for your time!
Josh
<Hi Josh, Don here. This all boils down to what kind of eel you have there. If
it's a real Moray Eel he needs be kept in full saltwater conditions. Conditions
that would kill a freshwater species. How about doing a Google image search and
try to ID him. Send us a picture or link so we can figure out what he is and
what he needs>
Adapting "Freshwater" eel to marine
Hi,
First off, thank you for creating such an informative site, your information
has been of much assistance to me in looking after my Freshwater eel.
<Okay>
I have a question for you which I have not really seen answered in any
detail anywhere. I would like to know if it really is possible to
adapt a
freshwater eel to a marine environment.
<Some species, yes... please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwmorayeels.htm
Do you know the species you have? Try inserting the common or scientific name in
fishbase.org>
If so, what would be the proper way
to go about doing so without causing any harm to it's health?
<Slowly... a few hundredths of specific gravity change per week... taking out
a volume of existing water and adding more salty to replace it>
I ask because I am in the research and planning stages of switching my
current freshwater tank to marine, and while I know I will have to give up
most or all of my current fish, if it is possible to keep my eel without
causing it harm then I would like to take the extra effort to do so. The
information I have seen on your site indicates that they are a freshwater to
brackish to marine species, and another site (aquariacentral.com) flat out
states that they can adapt to marine conditions, but that is about all I
have found on the matter. If you have any information on this
that you
could share, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
-Mark C
<Read re this animals habitat, life history on fishbase... if it is a marine
species as an adult, it will likely be easy to convert. Bob Fenner>
Fresh, marine, brackish eels escaping?
I just purchased an eel for my 55 gallon tank. The lady I spoke with when
purchasing it told me to block off all holes in the top of my tank because it
could try to escape. If it did escape, how far could it "slither" before dying,
or would it just fall near the
tank? Thanks, Angie...
<Depending on the species, how hot, humid the area is, the type of flooring... a
few to several feet, a few minutes to several hours. Keep that tank covered. Bob
Fenner>
Unknown Eel
hi, my name's Dean I have had my eel for about 5 months he is very
healthy but I have wondered for awhile what kind it is I have a pic
attached I hope you can help in identify him.
<Neat... looks like a synbranchid eel to me... maybe Monopterus alba...
maybe give a read on fishbase.org re... or place the scientific name in
your search engines. Bob Fenner> |
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Fish Jumping out of Tank! 8/7/04
My name is Abby.
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
I have a 29 gallon fish tank (freshwater). My eels are acting kind of
strange. It all started when my snowflake eel jumped out of the tank, he was
fine for a few days, but then he died.
<Snowflake eels are high-end brackish to saltwater fish. Most of the time, when
a fish jumps out of it's tank, it is because it is too small, or the water
conditions/quality is poor.>
That's when my 2 remaining eels started being weird. My peacock eel's eyes have
turned this translucent white, like he's sleeping, but he swims around like
this. He is breathing fine, and swims a lot. However, he also stand up on the
bottom of his tail for hours on end, if that makes sense. Then, my fire eel has
just been hanging upside down off the heater. Again he's breathing right and
sometimes swims around. I have been feeding them ghost shrimp and worms from
the pet store as advised. This is all very new to me and I don't like for my
animals to die. I have looked on many websites for answers, but came up empty
handed. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks Abby
<How long has the tank been set-up? Was the tank cycled before adding these
fish? How often are you doing water changes? Are you aware that fire eels grow
to 24"? I would check the ammonia, nitrItes & nitrAtes. Add Melafix for the
cloudy eye. Ghost shrimp by themselves, are mostly water. I would gut-load
(feed) them something nutritious, like to use algae wafers, so my fish get their
veggies. ~PP>
FW Eel for 20g Tank? 7/26/04
Hello
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
I am sorry for sending you this letter but I have looked for days to find out
about something.
<You don't have to apologize for asking questions, if you can't find the answer
somewhere.>
That something would be that I am looking to buy an eel and I only have a 20
gallon tank. Would that be enough to have a eel. If so you tell me which
one or ones would be good to get. If not could you tell me of something
similar.
<Most eels grow fairly large--way too large for the tank you have. The
only
smaller eel that comes to mind is a spiny-nosed eel.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0603&view_records=1
Even this eel will grow to 6". Eels will only eat live foods, so be
prepared to
spend some $$$ on worms & such.>
Thank you
Tyler
I would really appreciate it if you would write back. Thanks
<Good luck finding the eel you want. ~PP>
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