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Hiding spots/caves for a 2 ft fire eel

Irecruitfish

Irecruitfish

Polypterus
MFK Member
For the last year I've used 3 large ABV black piping for caves for my fish. It's unslightly but I wanted to do what's best for the fish. The eel loves it but he also knocks everything around even though it's zip tied. Live plants have been stirred up. Basically everything but my fake plants stay in place.

I took out the tubes as someone was coming to buy a Bichir and noticed more swimming behavior and less white spots on the eel. The eel would hide under the piping so likely getting scraped from it.

I like how the tank is open but also want the fish to feel secure.

Besides pipes are there any other options for the fire eel? Also have a 11" black wolf fish who likes to hide.
 
Are you able to collect driftwood? If so, I don't think you can go wrong with a big chunk of it. If you can find a hollow log you're golden, but even if the shape isn't ideal, the eel will find some place to hide and feel safe in. If you can't collect, though, this is not a very good option since bigger pieces go for stupendous prices.

This small piece I have is the most contested territory in the tank, the plecos outright went to war over it (the L106, as the reigning tank boss, claimed it in the end). You'll need a larger piece to fit a 2-foot eel, but since the shape is more "natural", I'd guess that a chunk of driftwood will look more open than piping.
 

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Conchonius said:
Are you able to collect driftwood? If so, I don't think you can go wrong with a big chunk of it. If you can find a hollow log you're golden, but even if the shape isn't ideal, the eel will find some place to hide and feel safe in. If you can't collect, though, this is not a very good option since bigger pieces go for stupendous prices.

This small piece I have is the most contested territory in the tank, the plecos outright went to war over it (the L106, as the reigning tank boss, claimed it in the end). You'll need a larger piece to fit a 2-foot eel, but since the shape is more "natural", I'd guess that a chunk of driftwood will look more open than piping.
Click to expand...
It's a shame I had a gigantic piece of driftwood many years ago but I sold it with my tank when I moved and got out of the hobby. One issue with that piece was that it would never become waterlogged enough to sink and I had to tie and drill it to slates. So that's why I was worried about with the fire real just with his massive amount of force that he would just whip that piece of driftwood around and it would fly around all over the place. How are you weighing down that log?
 
The log is fully waterlogged and stays firmly in place without weighing, though it took a few weeks in a bucket to get there. It helps that it is hollow, so the water can seep in from both sides. The other piece in the background is glued to a rock base (it is also waterlogged now, but it was a lot more stubborn - I'd guess months instead of weeks to "fill in" without weighing).

As for movement, a log that size + the water inside should weigh an easy 7-8 pounds, so my six-inch cats and plecs have no chance budging it. While your two-foot eel has far more power behind him, I don't think he'll move a waterlogged piece his own size either.
 
I love driftwood, will still come to a tire-screeching stop if I spot an interesting piece while driving alongside a body of water. Always keep an axe, saw, pair of rubber boots, rope and other assorted collecting gear in the truck...just in case...:)

But pipe has its advantages as well. A couple lengths of pipe displace almost no water and take up very little space. I like ABS pipe as well, I find it much less ugly than the white PVC many people choose, but it's still not exactly pretty. You can sand down the pipe to remove any lettering and to tone down the shiny black surface; also use a file and then sandpaper to deburr the sharp edges where it's cut. You can glue two, three or more pieces of pipe together with epoxy or solvent cement, at any angle, and create a stable structure that won't roll and is difficult for fish to move around.

It's also easy to slather the surface with clear 2-part epoxy and then roll it in sand or gravel, or sprinkle the stuff on top. When the epoxy hardens you have a much more natural look. You can add pieces of plastic plant, shells, or other decor, and fish-safe paint can help out as well.

Dang...I sound like a bot...:)
 
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