Eels

Help please.. Bought two of these guys today, on a special "never to be repeated offer".. Yeah I know,,, should've done my research first, but hey!! Driving all that way to return and find them 'sold out'... Please!!
At first instinct, thought them to be fighting and summarily removed one to another tank.. Now both suddenly seem hyper active,, and searching on the net seems fruitless!! Anyone out there with a clue?

 

Hi - they are "Spiny Eels" probably were not fighting, just playing around. They like to bury themselves in the substrate with just the nose sticking out. So a fine substrate is a must.

Once buried if you see them in the next 6 months enjoy. They do ocassionally come out and play..

They like live food or frozen, bloodworms are good !!

Not too much light

The following copied from Mongabay's website

Habitat​

Though they can/will adapt to bright, open settings, spiny eels are naturally reclusive, preferring darkened corners. Many species are burrowers, spending their days in mud or unconsolidated bottom material with only their "nose" sticking out. The best specimens I have observed were kept in large, well-covered systems replete with live plants, non-sharp, fine substrate, caves, flowerpots or tubes for hiding, and subdued lighting. ​

Physical/Chemical​

These fishes are not overly sensitive to any given set of water conditions but appreciate regularity. This is best brought about through frequent partial water changes. Temperatures should be tropical but not range over 80 F. Elevated ranges tend to bring on disease, and increased metabolism while decreasing oxygen concentration.​

Filtration​

With such meat-eating fishes it's obvious you will need vigorous, complete circulation and adequate mechanical filtration. What may not be so obvious is these animals need for high oxygen tension. Though they're bottom dwellers and may seem sedentary in their ways, the spiny eels used in the hobby typically come from fast moving waters. You should supply just as agitated/aerated water, through redundant fluid moving pumps and/or mechanical aerating bubblers. ​

Behavior:​

Territoriality​

To a number, these fishes get along with their own and related species. I have seen many numbers of them of all sizes thrust together in public aquariums and wholesale operations without incident. Likewise they are tolerant of all but the smallest of fishes, though they will gladly consume crustaceans, worms of smaller than mouth size.
​

 

they look great hey

 

They're what people normally label them as 'Mountain Spiny Eels' - Macrognathus circumcinctus if you want to get some good info via Google. They're the nice ones by the fact they don't get too big. Enjoy, they're nice fish.

 

Make sure there are NO GAPS IN YOUR CANOPY!! They WILL get out and you will come home to find fishy biltong on your floor!!

Great fish though!! They look good!

 

Nice guys, but dont try keeping them with fish that you intend to breed, if the fry can fit in its mouth, they are going to go!!!!!

 

will they crawl out even if the water level doesnt reach the brim of the tank?

 

Yes they will - they are escape artists of note

 

With a good hood you shouldn't have any problems, although even then its best to check to see if your fish is still there. If you're really worried, just drop the water level by 5cm for the smaller species, 10cm for the bigger ones.

 

Indeed!! They can climb pipes and airline tubing to get out the tank. They are the "Houdini" of fish.

 

Great info. Thanks everyone. Have to fix this canopy, used to have a 'cascade' filter, so the canopy is cut!! And I can place them together with a good concience now....