Yes, you can keep one peacock eel with other fish, but only carefully selected tank mates that are larger than the eel and non-aggressive.
Do peacock eels eat other fish?
Yes, peacock eels will eat smaller fish that can fit in their mouths.
They’re opportunistic carnivores, after all. At night—when they’re most active—they’ll hunt anything small enough to swallow whole. Always pair them with fish too large to be considered prey. According to the Seriously Fish species profile, peacock eels prefer live or frozen invertebrates and small crustaceans in the wild.
What fish can live with an eel?
Large, peaceful community fish such as angelfish, gouramis, and rainbowfish are suitable tank mates for peacock eels.
Go for species that grow to at least 4–5 inches as adults. Skip fin-nippers and aggressive fish like tiger barbs. The Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine suggests a minimum 36-inch tank for housing peacock eels with tank mates. Smaller enclosures crank up stress and territorial behavior. Don’t forget plenty of hiding spots—caves, driftwood, and dense plants like Java fern work wonders.
Can eels be in a tank with other fish?
Peacock eels can share a tank with other fish, but true eels (e.g., electric or spiny eels) should not be housed with fish at all due to size and predation risks.
The word “eel” gets thrown around a lot. True eels (like Anguilla species) need saltwater to reproduce and aren’t practical for home aquariums. The AKC points out that popular pet “eels” are usually spiny or peacock eels—totally different animals with different care needs.
Can peacock eels live together?
No, peacock eels should not be kept together.
They’re semi-solitary by nature and will fight over territory. Keeping two peacock eels often ends in stress, fin damage, or worse. The Aquarium Co-Op recommends one peacock eel per 30–40 gallon tank to keep the peace.
Are peacock eels aggressive?
Peacock eels are generally not aggressive toward other species, but they may eat small fish and can be territorial with their own kind.
They rarely start fights, but they’re natural hunters. Anything small enough to fit in their mouth might become dinner—especially after dark. Stick with robust tank mates too large to be eaten. The PetMD notes peacock eels are shy and spend most of their time hiding, which reduces visible aggression but doesn’t eliminate the risk entirely.
Do peacock eels need brackish water?
Yes, peacock eels require brackish water conditions.
They’re native to estuaries and mangrove areas where freshwater meets saltwater. Keep salinity between 1.005 and 1.010 specific gravity using marine salt or a brackish water mix. The Seriously Fish database insists consistent brackish conditions boost health and coloration in captive peacock eels.
What size tank does a peacock eel need?
A minimum 20-gallon tank (24 inches long) is suitable for small peacock eels, while adults require at least a 35-gallon tank (36 inches long).
Peacock eels are bottom-dwellers and need plenty of horizontal swimming space. Juveniles under 6 inches can start in a 20-gallon, but they grow to 10–12 inches and need long tanks for comfortable movement. The Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine suggests upgrading to a 55-gallon breeder for long-term housing to support their activity and well-being.
Will peacock eels eat shrimp?
Yes, peacock eels will eat shrimp if they can catch them.
Shrimp are basically fast food to them. If you want to keep shrimp, don’t house them together unless you plan to feed shrimp as part of the eel’s diet. Try thawed shrimp or bloodworms from a feeding dish to curb hunting behavior. The Live Aquaria care guide says peacock eels prefer sinking pellets and frozen foods over live prey in captivity.
Will eels eat my fish?
Peacock eels may eat fish small enough to swallow, so avoid housing them with small or slow-moving species.
They’re not aggressive hunters by nature, but they’ll happily gobble up anything that fits in their mouth—especially after dark. Stick with tank mates like larger tetras, rasboras, or catfish that exceed 4 inches in length. The PetMD recommends quarantining new fish for 2 weeks before introducing them to check for compatibility.
Do freshwater eels eat other fish?
Yes, most freshwater eels are carnivorous and will eat fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates in captivity.
True eels like the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) are catadromous and need saltwater to breed, making them terrible pet choices. Spiny eels and peacock eels—often sold as “freshwater eels”—have totally different care needs. The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) makes it clear: true eels aren’t the same as spiny eels, which are actually Mastacembelidae family members.
Can I keep eels as pets?
Yes, you can keep *spiny* or *peacock* eels as pets, but not true eels that require brackish or saltwater.
Popular species include the peacock eel (Macrognathus siamensis) and tire-track eel (Mastacembelus armatus). True eels like the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) are illegal in many regions and demand advanced setups. The ASPCA warns that many “eels” sold in pet stores are mislabeled spiny eels, which have more manageable care requirements.
How can you tell if a peacock eel is male or female?
Mature female peacock eels typically have a plumper, rounder body than males.
Sexing them isn’t easy without close inspection or breeding behavior. Males might grow slightly longer fins during spawning season, but the difference is subtle. The Seriously Fish species profile admits external sexing in captivity rarely works without dissection or experienced observation.
Can peacock eels breathe air?
Peacock eels can surface to gulp air, which they use to supplement oxygen intake in low-oxygen water.
They’ve got a modified swim bladder that acts like a primitive lung, letting them survive in stagnant or brackish waters. That said, they still need well-oxygenated water through surface agitation or filtration. The PetMD recommends an air stone or sponge filter to keep oxygen levels up, especially in brackish setups where oxygen tends to drop.
Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
