Knife Fish Lover - 2014-10-22 Can one of these live in a 55 gallon long,with:6 weather loaches,2 african brown knife fish,and a spotted raphael catish?Liveaquaria says 50 gallon min. but this sight says 125 gallon,who should i belive??????
Click For Replies (4)
Knife Fish Lover - 2014-10-22 Ok,thanks.But do you know of any spiny eels that can live in a 55?
Clarice Brough - 2014-10-22 Did you read the description of this fish above, these bad boys reach 27.6 inches (70.00 cm)! There are many variables with fish, and one of them is the size it is when you purchase it from a supplier and the size it is as an adult. Suppliers are usually selling juveniles and will talk to you about their needs at the time of purchase. But of course, we all plan on keeping our pets for their entire lives... so Animal-World talks about the care of an animal over its lifetime. Btw, Liveaquaria is a fine resource and I have purchased many aquatics from them, as well as visited one of their sites.
Clarice Brough - 2014-10-24 We kept a Tire Track Eel in a 40 gallon for quite awhile, then moved him into 125 gallon as he got bigger.
Leslie - 2015-12-17 I've had a tire track eel in a 55 gallon tank for 15 years. The trick is to not over feed it. Mine is only fed tree times a week, one frozen bloodworm cube, small earthworm, or occasional caterpillar. Rarely a small guppy. Also only four tank-mates. It has not grown since the first year, but at 15 still looks as good as it did when I got it.
laure - 2012-09-29 I've had my tiretrack eel for a few months now and I noticed he/she is getting meaner to my other fish. It used to be a super sweet fish but it's just gotten totally agressive. Even when I changed out my tank it was attempting to gnaw on me even though I didn't feel it. It was just very strange. I've started calling him/her my little convict because he/she is just turning into a dreadful jerk. any suggestions?
Click For Replies (3)
Clarice Brough - 2012-09-30 They do eat small fish naturally, and some can get grumpier with age. But I'd start by checking the habitat as it may have to do with the tank being too small and/or not enough hiding places.
Lauren - 2012-12-31 he lives in an 80gal tank with a pacu, angelfish, ghost knifefish, shovelnose cat. hes claimed this big cave all to himself even though hes still semi small. he hasnt reached his full length not by a long shot. idk whats wrong with him but hes made himself clear about his cave, the other fish let him eat first, and hes happy most of the time. i just dont know why he can have such a mean streak. the other fish dont bother him. he really likes to go after the pacu but i think thats because hes shiney. my eel loves shiney things. i had this silver ring on once when i was feeding them and i learned my lesson haha. he almost went ape crazy trying to get to it so i keep it in the aquarium now cuz he liked it so much, but i just dont know whats been gettin into him with his attitude. :/
mike - 2014-10-02 Some fish are more naturally aggressive than their peers. Your fish could just have that aggressive personality. Or it could be a gender/dominance issue. (I've seen this with a buddies cichlid) some times if there are too many of one gender in one tank it may cause a dominance issue, or could be territorial, feeling threatened by habbits of your other fish. Is your tank thin and tall? Or broad and flat? A large tank doesn't always mean a big enough habitat. A 120 gallon tank can be only as much space as a 60 gallon for eels if its too tall.(as eels are bottom fish, they need broader, flatter tanks where other fish need swimming room eels need tank bottom.
Matt - 2013-11-11 I bought my tire track eel a couple days ago and I'm not to sure on how often to feed him. The guy at the shop said he feeds them everyday to double check I looked online and it says only 2-3 times a week. I feed him bloodworms. I also bought an African knife fish and the eel never gives him a chance to even see the food let alone eat it so I'm worried of accidentally over feeding in time or if he/she (noodle) is just naturally greedy and it's ok to eat a lot.
Click For Replies (2)
Clarice Brough - 2013-12-10 Eels really only need to be fed a couple of times a week, and sometimes they will go for longer without accepting food. I doubt you will overfeed, and it may be necessary to feed him down in a corner to keep him occupied, and then offer food directly to your knifefish so that fellow doesn't starve.
puneet - 2014-02-20 I have two tire track eels... but how do I know who is male and who is female...
Jeffrey Hill - 2010-11-21 I purchased 3 tire track eels about 2 months ago and to my surprise I woke up this am to find about 2 dozen eel fry swimming around in my tank. So I guess they do breed in captivity. Any advice for caring for these little guys?
Click For Replies (2)
Anonymous - 2012-05-13 lets see some pics of these
Jeremy Roche - 2012-05-14 They sell liquid fry food at the store.
kevin from ky - 2008-03-26 Over the last few years I've had a couple of these guys. Only kept one at a time though, in my 55 gallon. They can be a pretty fun addition to your tank if your willing to give them the extra attention. The one I have now I named Louie. He's about 11-12 inches. I've fed him live food ever since I got him about a year ago. He was about 4 inch then. Diet mostly constists of Ghost shrimp, feeder guppies, Rosies, and small worms. He takes food right from my fingertips and his/her grip can be pretty shocking when your not expecting it. I mostly let him hunt. I only put 1 or 2 shrimp or feeder fish at a time to provide him hunting opportunities, rather than tossing a dozen shrimp or fish in and watching him gobble them up in a frenzy before they even know what hit 'em. Watching him strike out at prey from the darkened hole of his ancient tomb liar is pretty fierce. Unfortunately I've lost some of my smaller fish due to his diet (I think) but other than that he's pretty friendly. He gets along with just about everything even much bigger fish. I can hold him and bring him to the surface and he seems to know I'm around when close by. I love the guy and definately recommend to beginners or anyone for that matter
Adjai - 2013-01-02 I purchased a Yellow tail Tire Track eel two months ago. It was approx. 4 inches and very thin. I was told this eel only grow to 7 inches. Well... Jaba is a hefty 3/4 of an inch thick, wide whatever and 7 inches now, so I'm not sure where this is going. I'm confused. I purchased because it was advertised to grow only 7 inches. Is there a tire track species that only grow to only 7 or 8 inches?
big T - 2012-12-20 I've been away for some time letting my friend feed my fish. When I got home today I've found my spiny eel's eyes have a white crust over them? Can anyone tell me what I need to save his eyes?
Click For Replies (1)
Jeremy Roche - 2012-12-20 This usually happens from water condition. May be friend over fed? Test water right away. Lots of products on the market to help cure.
Trev - 2008-05-24 Adults can get up to 3' or 36". I have a fully grown adult in my home who is very peaceful though I do say, keep your tank lid on tight. If you have the room and knowledge to keep this fish, do so! It's very rewarding and hard to describe with not many people taking a liking to eels. Believe me, you'll enjoy every minute of keeping one of these beautiful animals.
Shawn Handley Jr. - 2012-04-04 Could I put one of these in a 40 gallon breeder. I already have in it one red hook, one green terror, one rocket gar, one gold severum, one 9 inch pleco, 2 peacock eels, and 5 cory cats(1 albino, 3 juli, 1 spotted).
Click For Replies (3)
Jeremy Roche - 2012-04-05 It all really depends on the current sive of your fish and how much space you are taking up with gravel and decor. I would think you would need a bigger tank to comfortably add this eel.
Shawn Handley Jr. - 2012-04-05 All of the fish except for the pleco are under 5 inches.
Jeremy Roche - 2012-04-06 you should be good now. But they are all going to grow.
One look at the Tire Track Eel and it's easy to see how they received their common name!
Can one of these live in a 55 gallon long,with:6 weather loaches,2 african brown knife fish,and a spotted raphael catish?Liveaquaria says 50 gallon min. but this sight says 125 gallon,who should i belive??????
Ok,thanks.But do you know of any spiny eels that can live in a 55?
Did you read the description of this fish above, these bad boys reach 27.6 inches (70.00 cm)! There are many variables with fish, and one of them is the size it is when you purchase it from a supplier and the size it is as an adult. Suppliers are usually selling juveniles and will talk to you about their needs at the time of purchase. But of course, we all plan on keeping our pets for their entire lives... so Animal-World talks about the care of an animal over its lifetime. Btw, Liveaquaria is a fine resource and I have purchased many aquatics from them, as well as visited one of their sites.
We kept a Tire Track Eel in a 40 gallon for quite awhile, then moved him into 125 gallon as he got bigger.
I've had a tire track eel in a 55 gallon tank for 15 years. The trick is to not over feed it. Mine is only fed tree times a week, one frozen bloodworm cube, small earthworm, or occasional caterpillar. Rarely a small guppy. Also only four tank-mates. It has not grown since the first year, but at 15 still looks as good as it did when I got it.
I've had my tiretrack eel for a few months now and I noticed he/she is getting meaner to my other fish. It used to be a super sweet fish but it's just gotten totally agressive. Even when I changed out my tank it was attempting to gnaw on me even though I didn't feel it. It was just very strange. I've started calling him/her my little convict because he/she is just turning into a dreadful jerk. any suggestions?
They do eat small fish naturally, and some can get grumpier with age. But I'd start by checking the habitat as it may have to do with the tank being too small and/or not enough hiding places.
he lives in an 80gal tank with a pacu, angelfish, ghost knifefish, shovelnose cat. hes claimed this big cave all to himself even though hes still semi small. he hasnt reached his full length not by a long shot. idk whats wrong with him but hes made himself clear about his cave, the other fish let him eat first, and hes happy most of the time. i just dont know why he can have such a mean streak. the other fish dont bother him. he really likes to go after the pacu but i think thats because hes shiney. my eel loves shiney things. i had this silver ring on once when i was feeding them and i learned my lesson haha. he almost went ape crazy trying to get to it so i keep it in the aquarium now cuz he liked it so much, but i just dont know whats been gettin into him with his attitude. :/
Some fish are more naturally aggressive than their peers. Your fish could just have that aggressive personality. Or it could be a gender/dominance issue. (I've seen this with a buddies cichlid) some times if there are too many of one gender in one tank it may cause a dominance issue, or could be territorial, feeling threatened by habbits of your other fish. Is your tank thin and tall? Or broad and flat? A large tank doesn't always mean a big enough habitat. A 120 gallon tank can be only as much space as a 60 gallon for eels if its too tall.(as eels are bottom fish, they need broader, flatter tanks where other fish need swimming room eels need tank bottom.
I bought my tire track eel a couple days ago and I'm not to sure on how often to feed him. The guy at the shop said he feeds them everyday to double check I looked online and it says only 2-3 times a week. I feed him bloodworms. I also bought an African knife fish and the eel never gives him a chance to even see the food let alone eat it so I'm worried of accidentally over feeding in time or if he/she (noodle) is just naturally greedy and it's ok to eat a lot.
Eels really only need to be fed a couple of times a week, and sometimes they will go for longer without accepting food. I doubt you will overfeed, and it may be necessary to feed him down in a corner to keep him occupied, and then offer food directly to your knifefish so that fellow doesn't starve.
I have two tire track eels... but how do I know who is male and who is female...
I purchased 3 tire track eels about 2 months ago and to my surprise I woke up this am to find about 2 dozen eel fry swimming around in my tank. So I guess they do breed in captivity. Any advice for caring for these little guys?
lets see some pics of these
They sell liquid fry food at the store.
Over the last few years I've had a couple of these guys. Only kept one at a time though, in my 55 gallon. They can be a pretty fun addition to your tank if your willing to give them the extra attention. The one I have now I named Louie. He's about 11-12 inches. I've fed him live food ever since I got him about a year ago. He was about 4 inch then. Diet mostly constists of Ghost shrimp, feeder guppies, Rosies, and small worms. He takes food right from my fingertips and his/her grip can be pretty shocking when your not expecting it. I mostly let him hunt. I only put 1 or 2 shrimp or feeder fish at a time to provide him hunting opportunities, rather than tossing a dozen shrimp or fish in and watching him gobble them up in a frenzy before they even know what hit 'em. Watching him strike out at prey from the darkened hole of his ancient tomb liar is pretty fierce. Unfortunately I've lost some of my smaller fish due to his diet (I think) but other than that he's pretty friendly. He gets along with just about everything even much bigger fish. I can hold him and bring him to the surface and he seems to know I'm around when close by. I love the guy and definately recommend to beginners or anyone for that matter
I put it in a 5000 gallon tank it grew to 59.
I purchased a Yellow tail Tire Track eel two months ago. It was approx. 4 inches and very thin. I was told this eel only grow to 7 inches. Well... Jaba is a hefty 3/4 of an inch thick, wide whatever and 7 inches now, so I'm not sure where this is going. I'm confused. I purchased because it was advertised to grow only 7 inches. Is there a tire track species that only grow to only 7 or 8 inches?
I've been away for some time letting my friend feed my fish. When I got home today I've found my spiny eel's eyes have a white crust over them? Can anyone tell me what I need to save his eyes?
This usually happens from water condition. May be friend over fed? Test water right away. Lots of products on the market to help cure.
Adults can get up to 3' or 36". I have a fully grown adult in my home who is very peaceful though I do say, keep your tank lid on tight. If you have the room and knowledge to keep this fish, do so! It's very rewarding and hard to describe with not many people taking a liking to eels. Believe me, you'll enjoy every minute of keeping one of these beautiful animals.
Could I put one of these in a 40 gallon breeder. I already have in it one red hook, one green terror, one rocket gar, one gold severum, one 9 inch pleco, 2 peacock eels, and 5 cory cats(1 albino, 3 juli, 1 spotted).
It all really depends on the current sive of your fish and how much space you are taking up with gravel and decor. I would think you would need a bigger tank to comfortably add this eel.
All of the fish except for the pleco are under 5 inches.
you should be good now. But they are all going to grow.