Everything about Electric Eel Care

[CatfishTasteGood]

Hey Y'all,

I am considering purchasing an electric eel. I've done some research, but I can't find extensive information on their care. Could y'all please fill me in on literally everything there is to know about caring for one of these guys? I've put some of my questions below...

• What size tank does it need?
• What does it eat? Live or dead food?
• How much and how often should I feed it?
• How often do I clean its tank?
• How do I clean its tank?
• I read that it is good to handle them will rubber gloves to make them more docile. Is this true?
• Are they prone to any disease?
• Can I put plants in its tank?
• I know other fish are a no go, but are there any tank cleaning organisms that it would get along with?
• What setups do y'all use as far as filtration?
• Where should I buy my eel from?

I am sure that there is a lot more to be asked, but this was just off the top of my head. Please fill me in on whatever you can. I am eager to learn.

Best,
CatfishTasteGood

 

[Tristan's 6000 Fish]

Hey Y'all,

I am considering purchasing an electric eel. I've done some research, but I can't find extensive information on their care. Could y'all please fill me in on literally everything there is to know about caring for one of these guys? I've put some of my questions below...

• What size tank does it need?
• What does it eat? Live or dead food?
• How much and how often should I feed it?
• How often do I clean its tank?
• How do I clean its tank?
• I read that it is good to handle them will rubber gloves to make them more docile. Is this true?
• Are they prone to any disease?
• Can I put plants in its tank?
• I know other fish are a no go, but are there any tank cleaning organisms that it would get along with?
• What setups do y'all use as far as filtration?
• Where should I buy my eel from?

I am sure that there is a lot more to be asked, but this was just off the top of my head. Please fill me in on whatever you can. I am eager to learn.

Best,
CatfishTasteGood

My brother has a fish shop in Florida. He has 6, I believe, electric eels. I'll answer the questions in order of descent.
They require a minimum of a 100 gallon tank, larger is better.
My brother feeds them live and dead Tilapia.
He feeds them 6 filets of fish twice a day. When he feeds them live fish he puts multiple in the tank and lets them kill.
Cleaning the tank depends on hlw dirty it gets. My bro can keep his clean enough to not hae to do it but twice a month.
Use large rubber gloves, a siphon, and something to put water back in.
Yes handle with rubber gloves.
I'm not aware of any diseases.
Snails are compatible tank mates to clean your aquarium.
Yes, more plants the better.
He uses four 100 gallon canister pumps, and plants as filtration. All 6 are in a 20 ft x 30 ft pool 5 feet deep.
His website is "Predatory Fins"... he sells many rare fish. He's in Florida. He told me he's currently sold out of electric eels, unfortunately.
Another website I've used to buy clown knife fish, is "aqua imports" They currently have eels, in stock.

 

[Kayden]

My brother has a fish shop in Florida. He has 6, I believe, electric eels. I'll answer the questions in order of descent.
They require a minimum of a 100 gallon tank, larger is better.
My brother feeds them live and dead Tilapia.
He feeds them 6 filets of fish twice a day. When he feeds them live fish he puts multiple in the tank and lets them kill.
Cleaning the tank depends on hlw dirty it gets. My bro can keep his clean enough to not hae to do it but twice a month.
Use large rubber gloves, a siphon, and something to put water back in.
Yes handle with rubber gloves.
I'm not aware of any diseases.
Snails are compatible tank mates to clean your aquarium.
Yes, more plants the better.
He uses four 100 gallon canister pumps, and plants as filtration. All 6 are in a 20 ft x 30 ft pool 5 feet deep.
His website is "Predatory Fins"... he sells many rare fish. He's in Florida. He told me he's currently sold out of electric eels, unfortunately.
Another website I've used to buy clown knife fish, is "aqua imports" They currently have eels, in stock.

My brother owns Apple LOL


Also rod lives in NY now so you should call your “brother”

Hey Y'all,

I am considering purchasing an electric eel. I've done some research, but I can't find extensive information on their care. Could y'all please fill me in on literally everything there is to know about caring for one of these guys? I've put some of my questions below...

• What size tank does it need?
• What does it eat? Live or dead food?
• How much and how often should I feed it?
• How often do I clean its tank?
• How do I clean its tank?
• I read that it is good to handle them will rubber gloves to make them more docile. Is this true?
• Are they prone to any disease?
• Can I put plants in its tank?
• I know other fish are a no go, but are there any tank cleaning organisms that it would get along with?
• What setups do y'all use as far as filtration?
• Where should I buy my eel from?

I am sure that there is a lot more to be asked, but this was just off the top of my head. Please fill me in on whatever you can. I am eager to learn.

Best,
CatfishTasteGood

electric eels need a lot more than a 100 gallons. They reach 6+ feet, I would say MINIMUM a 4’ x 8’ x 3’

feeding I would say once a day as juvies, and 3 times a week as adults. High protein yet varied diet like any large knifefish.

 

[CatfishTasteGood]

I appreciate the responses y'all.

 

[andyroo]

Electric eels are fantastic animals - smart, graceful and properly fascinating, and...
is it wise to keep a pet that can kill you?

I've been doing this for more than four decades. If I had the access & space, then maybe.
but, if you're a "feederfish" then you might start with an aba-aba, lungfish or an electric cat: also big & cool & can screw you up, but "just" by numbing your arm or removing a finger.

 

[CatfishTasteGood]

Electric eels are fantastic animals - smart, graceful and properly fascinating, and...
is it wise to keep a pet that can kill you?

I've been doing this for more than four decades. If I had the access & space, then maybe.
but, if you're a "feederfish" then you might start with an aba-aba, lungfish or an electric cat: also big & cool & can screw you up, but "just" by numbing your arm or removing a finger.

That’s fair

 

[phreeflow]

Don’t see any reason to handle an electric cat for any reason, including to make it more docile. They’ll eat anything but don’t really do much and sit around and wait to eat.

I’ve seen people keep them with larger, gentle fish they can’t eat. You could try a pleco as a tankmate

 

[andyroo]

electric eel or electric catfish, P phreeflow ?

 

[phreeflow]

electric eel or electric catfish, P phreeflow ?

Electric cat