Fresh water eel?

[Hurley]

I was at the fish store today to cheer myself up after trying to go see the new Harry Potter movie, which I found out is completely sold out for the next 2 days unless I want to see the midnight screening... :rant2:, and they had what they called a tire tread eel. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about them and would care to enlighten me. Ive always wanted an eel but before buying I wanted to get some other peoples opinions and experiences. Thanks.

[TorturedSOUL]

they are usually called tire track or tyre track eels. They get large, over 2 feet long and about a 3 inch diameter. I wouldn't suggest getting one unless you have a big tank (75 + gallons). Other than that they are pretty cool, mine used to eat out of my hand. They can get aggressive when they get older and have been known to eat other tank mates they can fit in their mouth.

[fish_breeder_05]

they are a spiny eel. my favorate is the fire eel. heres a site talking about them in general:

http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Spiny%20Eel.htm

check out the giant fire eel at the top

[Hurley]

Well by the looks of the pictures on that website what they had was not a tire track eel but rather a zig zag eel. thanks for the information...they look like they would be a fun addition! :dance2:

[morextremist]

I've kept a tiny american eel in a 20 tank before. I also had tiny tadpoles and the awesomess thing I ever saw happened. It sneaked out from under a piece of driftwood and caught a tadpole. It scared the bejesus out of me cause I was sorta wondering where my tadpoles were going. Anyway he sneaked out of the tank and dried up :( eels are tricksy.

[FreddytheFish]

BTW, spiny eels aren't really eels.

[fish_breeder_05]

american eels have diffrent behavour/ requirements from spinys.

[stingray25]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1026