I am thinking about getting a tire track eel and was wondering what are the best things to feed it, and what habitat to supply for it. The one I saw at the pet store lived in the gravel. And when my friend bought it two days ago, it made a ship with plants around it, it's home. Is that change common? Thank you for your info.
Tire Track Eels
- Thread starter Lund
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I have a zig zag eel, a smaller cousin of the tire track eel. I feed mine live black worms which he gobbles right up. I can't get him to eat much else with the same enthusiasm. However he is about 5inches long right now (and getting rather plump 
) so worms are about all he can fit in his little mouth. My local fish store was selling tire track eels that were much smaller them mine but I assume they would still eat the worms. It is when they get bigger that you can move on to feeding them shrimp (the kind you get at the lfs and also the kind you buy at the grocery store) and other fish. They do get big enough so that they will eat other fish in the tank so I don’t recommend keeping them with other fish once they get big. And by big, I mean big! They get to reach about 3 feet long. I don’t know if you were aware of this when your friend bought it. They will need a huge tank, basically to themselves. If your friend is not ready to make that financial obligation you should call the store and ask if they will take it back.(without a doubt they will, and if they wont another store will) There are other varieties that are much more affordable and just as much fun such as the Peacock eel (reaches about 10inches) and the zig zag eel (reaches about 7inches). Both of these have just as much personality at the bigger versions.
Eels are such cool additions to the aquarium; they just take some extra work then your ordinary fish. And they are definitely a conversation starter. I would do some more research to make sure you and your friend don’t encounter any hidden surprises, like the eel growing to be 3ft long, in the future. There are lots of websites out there on spiney eels, here is a website to get you started:
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Spiny%20Eel.htm
) so worms are about all he can fit in his little mouth. My local fish store was selling tire track eels that were much smaller them mine but I assume they would still eat the worms. It is when they get bigger that you can move on to feeding them shrimp (the kind you get at the lfs and also the kind you buy at the grocery store) and other fish. They do get big enough so that they will eat other fish in the tank so I don’t recommend keeping them with other fish once they get big. And by big, I mean big! They get to reach about 3 feet long. I don’t know if you were aware of this when your friend bought it. They will need a huge tank, basically to themselves. If your friend is not ready to make that financial obligation you should call the store and ask if they will take it back.(without a doubt they will, and if they wont another store will) There are other varieties that are much more affordable and just as much fun such as the Peacock eel (reaches about 10inches) and the zig zag eel (reaches about 7inches). Both of these have just as much personality at the bigger versions.Eels are such cool additions to the aquarium; they just take some extra work then your ordinary fish. And they are definitely a conversation starter. I would do some more research to make sure you and your friend don’t encounter any hidden surprises, like the eel growing to be 3ft long, in the future. There are lots of websites out there on spiney eels, here is a website to get you started:
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Spiny%20Eel.htm
I have a cave for mine and he doesn't use it, instead he likes to next to the driftwood or pretend he is one of the leaves in one of mine plants. He does a pretty good job at looking like the leaf too, it makes me laugh! I have read alot that says they like to bury themselves but I have yet to see mine do that and I have had him for about 3months now. Each eel is different I guess!
Thank you for your info. I have a 30g tank now, I am however planning for a larger 100-150g tank in the next year or two, or if fianances don't allow at least a 55.
My fish now are two 1.5" angels, a 4" black ghost knife, and a 10" pleco. The pleco is my biggest motive for a larger tank. He just is to big for the one I got now. Are they still compatable with an eel? And yes I was told they get up to 3' or so. Thank you again.
My fish now are two 1.5" angels, a 4" black ghost knife, and a 10" pleco. The pleco is my biggest motive for a larger tank. He just is to big for the one I got now. Are they still compatable with an eel? And yes I was told they get up to 3' or so. Thank you again.