Eel, Fire:
COMMON NAME:
•   Fire Eel

LATIN NAME:
•   Mastacembelus erythrotaenia

pH:  
•   7.0

WATER TEMP:
•   74-80 deg. F.

AVG. MAX. SIZE:
•   21+ inches / 45 cm.

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED TANK SIZE:
•   Do not place in tanks smaller than 100 gallons, 150+ gallons is preferred.

BREEDING:
•   Egg-layers

FEEDING:
•   Mainly Live Worms (sections not larger than 2 inches).  Brine Shrimp & Frozen or Live Blood Worms. As it grows will devour tank mates smaller than 3 inches.

NOTE:
•   Needs  a soft substrate, as they may bury themselves for days on end with only the tips of their snouts protruding.

LIGHTING:
•   More nocturnal, prefers dusk and dawn, light lighting.

TEMPERAMENT:
•   Peaceful, very good community fish as long as it is with fish its own size or larger only, anything smaller that resembles a worm may be dinner.


COMMENTS:
•   Great fun to watch, even better to train to be hand fed. Have been known to choke on a large of a section of live worm or other foods and actually drown in the tank.

•   There are several different species of freshwater eels, as well as many fish who are actually mistaken as eels. The Bichir, Lungfish and more commonly, Rope-Fish are often taken for eels.

•   These guys are definitely NOT for the beginner!