Fire Eel:
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!