Help setting up a spiny eel tank

N

_newbie_

AC Members
Jul 26, 2006
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New Zealand
Hi I was just wondering if anyone has had successful experience with spiny eels. Here is what I was planning on doing. I would love feedback, help, advice, and tips.

I was planning on setting up the tank with 2 fake rocks that have plenty of hiding places and fake plants that plug into the rocks. Would this be enough?

I was thinking walnut gravel as it is made up of very small smooth pebbles. How deep should the gravel be? Do they need to burrow in if they have enough hiding places in the rocks?

I plan to cycle the tank once the decorations are in then again after adding 3 striped peacock spiny eels. Is this a good idea?

I would like to add 9 gouramis, 3 at a time, should I cycle after each addition?

I read that these eels prefer subdued lighting so I was thinking a dim blue light and a black light (to make the colors 'pop'). Is this a good idea?

And finally what size tank would be big enough?

I want to get the set up right as I dont want the critters to suffer.
 
The eels can get to 6 - 10 inches each (some even 14") so you would need at least a 30 US Gal to keep these guys happy with an open mind to go larger if necessary. Use sand as opposed to gravel, and you should be ok with the clickable plants, as the eels won't be able to uproot them. You could also throw in a plant pot or some sort of pvc piping for "caves".

I'm unclear as to why you would "cycle" after each new addition. You should run the cycle prior to adding your fish (if you're going fishless) etc. You would definitely monitor after new additions, but re-cycling? I don't get it.

With the addition of the 9 gouramis you're really looking to get a bigger tank than 30 gals. Perhaps a 50 gal at least.. How big can you go? Otherwise you may want to reconsider your stocking numbers.

That's just one person's opinion. I hope others offer up theirs. Good luck! Let us know what you decide upon.
Take care,
Kris
 
I have spiney eels, both peacock and zig-zag. As writtenlyric said, I would recommend using sand instead of gravel becuase it is softer and eels don't have any scales to protect them. As for tank size, I have mine in a 20 gallon and they are very happy but as always, bigger is better so get as big as you can afford. The eels are very picky eaters especially peacocks but I have never had any trouble feeding them live blackworms. They will eat frozen food but I have trouble getting them to eat enough of it.

Most likely they will not hide in the rocks. I would also be careful that the rocks don't have any sharp or rough parts to them as it may harm the eel. They do like tubing which you can pick up some pvc tubing at your local hardware store. You may also find that no matter how many hiding places you give them they still bury themselves, thats just the way they are.

As for the gourami's, I would be careful. 9 is alot. Gourami's can be very mean to members of thier own species so if you are going to have a lot in a tank you will need a pretty big tank and lots of hiding spaces and pretty obvious territory lines(ie. driftwood or decoration)

Cycling should be a one time thing so you shouldn't have to do it after each time you add fish if you do it properly. (adding one or 2 fish at a time)

Hope that helps!
 
This guy has 7 goldfish in a 10 gallon tank.

I think you should definitely refrain from buying more fish until you have learned a little more about the hobby.

Eels are escape artists and can be sensitive. In no way a "newbie" fish.
 
grachicdesign_r yes I am a newbie . I asked my local fish store who gave me false information. Now I'm doing my best to fix things. I have spent a whole week solid on the internet looking for information. Alot of it contradicts what another site says. That is why I'm on here asking for help from people who have hands on experience. I'm not starting anymore tanks for at least a year when I know alot more.


buny13 & writtenlyric thank you for your help. Do you suggest any particular type of sand? As I said to graphicdesign_r my LFS gave me alot of false information. They were the ones who suggested the 9 gouramis, adding 3 at a time, cycling after each addition, fine gravel and the fake rocks. So thank you for seeting things straight. :)
 
well, after each added fish, you might experience a "mini-cycle" where the bacteria need to reproduce to keep up with the additional nitrogen load. it's always a possibility when you add more fish. but like stated, it shouldn't be anything as urgent, severe, or take as long as your original cycle. just watch your water parameters and be prepared to do water changes as needed.
 
Depending on the number of eels you are getting a 55G should be fine. I have a peacock eel in a 35G and it is perfectly happy. As far as substrate, I actually have very small gravel in my 35G, it is rounded stones and tiny, almost more like large sand, and my eel burrows in it all day long. If you are going with sand, you can get play sand from the hardware store for $2-3 for 50 lbs. Since eels like to burrow, you would need an inch and a half minimum of substrate form my experience. I have also noticed my eel likes to hang out in my plants in the tank, particularly the Hornwort, which is a lowlight plant so if you have the desire to try plants int he tank that might be a good one. I have read eels arte escape artists, but I have never seen mine above 6" from the bottom of the tank, I think if you have a habitat they enjoy they are less likely to try and wander, just my hypothesis though (I will now go downstairs to find mine on the floor after saying that with my luck! :) ) I have never actually seen mine eat, and I have had him about 3 months now. I feed the barbs in the tank with it dried tubifex worms and bloodworms a couple of times a week and I am sure he picks up the left overs as he is fat and healthy. I can also agree that you need a cave for him of somekind. I have a little cave I bought at Petsmart for about $6 and my eel loves it. Hope all that helps.
 
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