What Fish Can Be Kept With Eels?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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What fish can be kept with eels? Freshwater eels can be kept with larger community fish; keep only one eel per aquarium. Eels can live harmoniously with

angelfish, gourami and rainbow fish

but may try to eat fish that fit in their mouth.

Can eels be in a tank with other fish?

Water temperature: 73 to 82 °F (~23 to ~28 °C) Water Hardness: 5 to 15 gH

What fish can live with moray eels?

Compatible tankmates for the snowflake moray eel include other relatively large, aggressive fish, such as

lionfish, tangs, triggerfish, wrasses

, and possibly even other snowflake if they are both introduced to the tank at the same time.

Can saltwater eels live with other fish?

Saltwater eels have a reputation as vicious hunters, but are usually harmless if handled correctly.

They are compatible with Triggerfish, Pufferfish, and Larger Angelfish

. If well fed we even have had small Damsels be safe in the same tank. Feeding – We recommend feeding twice a week.

Will eels eat my fish?


Many moray eels eat fish

, though some of the smaller species feed on crustaceans. One of the most interesting behaviors moray eels exhibit in the wild is cooperative hunting.

How many eels can be in tank?

With a maximum size of 12 to 16 inches, these eels are the perfect size for home aquariums. They prefer to be in groups so the general rule is

three or more

in any one aquarium.

How big of a tank does an eel need?

We would not recommend keeping any freshwater Eels in an aquarium less than

30 gallons

. Larger species will require more room and it is essential that you do your research and have the correct tank size. For Eels that grow to around 15 inches a good rule of thumb would be one per 10 gallons of water.

Can a snowflake eel live with fish?

I'm actually really stunned

they can live with any fish

! Compatible tankmates for the snowflake moray eel include other relatively large, aggressive fish, such as lionfish, tangs, triggerfish, wrasses, and possibly even other snowflake moray eels if they are both introduced to the tank at the same time.

Can a snowflake eel live with clownfish?

The clown will make a nice snack for the eel at some point.

I had a snowflake eel and a clown fish together for almost a year with no problems

.

Do eels produce a lot of waste?

In any case, all moray eels require aquarium systems that can handle large volumes of waste products. As carnivores,

these fish produce large volumes of highly nitrogenous wastes

—in other words, lots of ammonia.

Can I put a eel in my reef tank?

In conclusion,

the pebble-toothed morays make an excellent tankmate in reef tank style aquariums

. The snowflake eel is probably the best-suited eel for this tank as it is small, compatible with other fish species and adaptable to captivity. It is certainly one of the most passive, sociable, and desirable moray species.

How big of a tank does a moray eel need?

Those species that attain a length of more than 30 inches are best housed in aquariums ranging from

55 to 135 gallons

in size. The smaller species (those less than 30 inches in length) will do fine in a 20-gallon aquarium, while the “mini morays” (those less than 15 inches) can even be kept in 10- or 15-gallon tanks.

How often do saltwater eels eat?

As for frequency,

3-4 times per week

is great. For amount, that really depends on the size of the Eel. Mine will eat either a whole large clam, OR 6-7 silversides, OR a dozen or so krill.

Do eels like to be pet?

It sure appears that

at least eels are capable of what some pet owners might call “love,” happily returning affections given.

Are moray eels friendly?

Are moray eels friendly? While Waldo was clearly a very friendly eel,

generally moray eels are shy, preferring the reclusiveness of their caves

. While they do come out to hunt, you don't see them swimming around coral reefs as often as you'll see parrot fish, angel fish, and others.

Can freshwater eels hurt you?

They have three electric organs that contain cells called electrocytes. When the electric eel senses prey or feels threatened by a predator, electrocytes create an electrical current that can release up to 600 volts (

if you are unlucky enough to be shocked by 600 volts, it won't kill you on its own, but it will hurt

).

How long do fish tank eels live?

Generally speaking, most freshwater eels will not live longer than

15 years

. However, there are a select few species that may live to 18 or 20 years old, as well as some that may live for as little as 8 or 10 years.

What should I feed my pet eel?

Do freshwater eels eat other fish?

As for what you should be feeding your eels,

these will generally eat small crustaceans, mosquito larvae, worms, and small fish

. You can provide these fresh ideally, but eels will also adapt to eating freeze-dried frozen proteins in many cases. Good options include tubifex and bloodworms.

Do freshwater eels shock?


Electric eels generate their electric shocks much like a battery

. Like the stacked plates of a battery, the stacked electric cells can generate an electrical shock of 500 volts and 1 ampere. Such a shock would be deadly for an adult human!

What are the coolest freshwater fish?

  • GloFish Danio.
  • Neon Tetra.
  • Golden Wonder Killifish.
  • Kuhli Loach.
  • American Flagfish.
  • Indian Glassfish.
  • Peacock Gudgeon.
  • Bristlenose Plecostomus.

What fish can live with peacock eels?

  • Rainbowfish (we like Forktail)
  • Rasboras.
  • Swordtail fish.
  • Hatchetfish.

What is the smallest saltwater eel?

The

Snyder's moray

is the smallest species within the family, measuring less than six inches in length when fully grown. Its reddish-brown, sometimes dark, mottled coloration dappled with small white spots makes for great camouflage on the reef.

How long can eels be out of water?

First, although eels breathe with gills underwater, they can survive out of water for

several hours

breathing through their skin.

How fast do eels grow?

Compared with many other fish, eels are slow growing –

a longfin may grow only between 15-25mm a year

. They can also live for many years. Large longfins have been estimated to be at least 60 years old.

What do I feed my saltwater eel?

Can a snowflake eel live in a 55 gallon tank?

As one of the smallest and easiest to care for Moray Eels, the Snowflake Eel is understandably the most popular of the group. Maxing out at around 24 inches in length as an adult,

they can be kept in aquariums as small as 55 gallons

, making them fascinating additions to the world of marine fish keeping.

What size tank do you need for a snowflake eel?

A 50 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock and a tightly fit canopy is ideal. Most of the eels that are lost in an aquarium are due to poorly sealed tanks. The Snowflake Eel is safe to house with any fish it cannot easily swallow.

Do eels clean water?


Eels transport freshwater mussels, which filter pollution from the water

. Without eels, mussels can't get around, which means dirtier water wherever they aren't.

How big do saltwater eels get?

There are many different types of freshwater and saltwater eels in those categories but they are generally classified as elongated fish that lack pelvic and, most times, pectoral fins as well. These fish can grow anywhere from

a few inches to over 10 feet (304.8 cm) in length

.

Can 2 snowflake eels be in the same tank?


If your tank is large enough, you can also have more than one snowflake eel, but it's best if they're both about the same size and added to the tank at the same time

. It's important to be aware that snowflake eels can become aggressive with each other, as well as to other tank mates, during feeding times.

Are moray eels easy to keep?

They are

relatively easy to maintain

, but need to be kept in very large systems with robust tank mates and efficient filtration. Feed squid and fish twice a week —and mind your fingers at all times! The Ribbon eel, Rhinomuraena quaesita (pictured above by Chika Watanabe, Creative Commons) is one to avoid.

How many gallons does a saltwater eel need?

The largest ones (larger than 10 feet) are rarely kept in the home aquarium due to trouble with providing adequate space. Individuals reaching 2.5 feet or more by adulthood should be kept in

at least a 30 gallon tank

. “Mini-Morays” (less than 15 inches) will be comfortable in tanks as small as 15 gallons.

How long can eel go without eating?

Don't worry about it,

eels can go weeks without food as long as they are healthy

. If it hasn't eaten for a week or two, try live food, ghost shrimp is a good bet.

What to do if an eel bites you?

  1. Wash small, superficial wounds immediately with soap and water.
  2. Put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.
  3. Apply antibacterial ointment and cover with a sterile bandage.
  4. Take an at-home pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).

Does fish recognize its owner?


A species of tropical fish has been shown to be able to distinguish between human faces

. It is the first time fish have demonstrated this ability.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.