Tanganyika eels?

Yeah whenever I've seen both species for sale they have both been kinda pricy. As for size I've read plagiostoma get about 12" while elipsifer get up to 18". My lfs had a 12" M. elipsifer in its display tank for a couple of years so not too sure how accurate the sizes are but I do believe the plagiostoma is the smaller of the two.
 
Thanks I haven't been able to get exact messaurement adverages. I just keep hearing that elipsifer are larger. Are there any species any smaller? Does anyone know?
The price doesn't bother me too much. For these guys it just seems worth it :) Though a lot of saving and prep is needed in advance.
 
I don't believe there are any other species from lake Tanganyika. Yes there are other smaller eels but I think you already knew that.
 
There are actually a number of spiney eels endemic to Lake Tanganykia, but only a few are usually collected/imported. Most of the larger species are predatory, and grow too large for the average hobbyist. Some of the smaller ones are occaisonally imported but not ID'd by species, and there isn't much (if any) info available on them. I have heard from a couple folks that the smaller odd ones tend to stay buried in the sand, much like their Asian relatives, and aren't particularly social. The elipsifer is a social fish, and can be kept in groups w/out problems. Plagiostoma are best kept alone or as a pair, though they won't kill other conspecifics like most species will in the long run.
 
There are actually a number of spiney eels endemic to Lake Tanganykia, but only a few are usually collected/imported. Most of the larger species are predatory, and grow too large for the average hobbyist. Some of the smaller ones are occaisonally imported but not ID'd by species, and there isn't much (if any) info available on them. I have heard from a couple folks that the smaller odd ones tend to stay buried in the sand, much like their Asian relatives, and aren't particularly social. The elipsifer is a social fish, and can be kept in groups w/out problems. Plagiostoma are best kept alone or as a pair, though they won't kill other conspecifics like most species will in the long run.

That's interesting! My lfs had an eel that I had no idea on the ID, when I went back to get a pic of it they had already sold it.

Aquabid has one for $90+ shipping:jaw-dropping:
 
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