Tire Track Eel Tank Size

[That Trinindad Pleco]

Hi, I’m planning on getting a Tire Track Eel soon, and I would like to keep it with some semi-aggressive tank mates as well. Please give me any tips about Tire Track Eels, like what they like to eat, as well as good tank mate options. Please give a reason to why you choose that tank size, and thanks for all the help!

 

[tlindsey]

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/tire-track-eel-true-minimum-tank-size.696810/

 

[That Trinindad Pleco]

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/tire-track-eel-true-minimum-tank-size.696810/

Thanks, So A 120?

 

[Fishman Dave]

That’s not what it says, and to be honest, if it is/was, it’s wrong.

If I had a 3 ft , 6” diameter body fire eel living its life out in a 120 there would be outcry, and rightly so.
Most of the questions I see asked about tank size are either someone dreaming of what they may someday do, or are someone trying to justify what they are already doing.
If I catch a 3ft wild fire eel I might put it in 50g tank to photo and document, doesn’t mean the minimum tank size should be 50g.

I applaud people for wanting to give a fish a good honest home, however the question needs to be asked correctly.

Are you planning on buying a full grown fire eel and keeping that in a tank - if so my answer is VERY different to you planning to buy 4” baby fire eel to grow to adulthood.

If your doing the obvious sensible thing then I would expect the fish, and you, to have numerous changes of home by the time it gets to over 3 ft and on to full adult size and old age.
I would expect a 120 to be a good size to keep a baby fire eel for a number of years. Is it a tank for life, no, but I would expect every owner to “manage” that over time.

 

[That Trinindad Pleco]

That’s not what it says, and to be honest, if it is/was, it’s wrong.

If I had a 3 ft , 6” diameter body fire eel living its life out in a 120 there would be outcry, and rightly so.
Most of the questions I see asked about tank size are either someone dreaming of what they may someday do, or are someone trying to justify what they are already doing.
If I catch a 3ft wild fire eel I might put it in 50g tank to photo and document, doesn’t mean the minimum tank size should be 50g.

I applaud people for wanting to give a fish a good honest home, however the question needs to be asked correctly.

Are you planning on buying a full grown fire eel and keeping that in a tank - if so my answer is VERY different to you planning to buy 4” baby fire eel to grow to adulthood.

If your doing the obvious sensible thing then I would expect the fish, and you, to have numerous changes of home by the time it gets to over 3 ft and on to full adult size and old age.
I would expect a 120 to be a good size to keep a baby fire eel for a number of years. Is it a tank for life, no, but I would expect every owner to “manage” that over time.

I Was Planning On Getting A Small 4"-6" Tire Track Eel and getting either a 180 Gallon, or a 240 Gallon if the 180 would be to small. I DO NOT WANT TO MYSELF OR ENCOURAGE KEEPING FISH IN WAY TO SMALL TANKS. But do you feel a 180 would be good?

 

[That Trinindad Pleco]

That’s not what it says, and to be honest, if it is/was, it’s wrong.

If I had a 3 ft , 6” diameter body fire eel living its life out in a 120 there would be outcry, and rightly so.
Most of the questions I see asked about tank size are either someone dreaming of what they may someday do, or are someone trying to justify what they are already doing.
If I catch a 3ft wild fire eel I might put it in 50g tank to photo and document, doesn’t mean the minimum tank size should be 50g.

I applaud people for wanting to give a fish a good honest home, however the question needs to be asked correctly.

Are you planning on buying a full grown fire eel and keeping that in a tank - if so my answer is VERY different to you planning to buy 4” baby fire eel to grow to adulthood.

If your doing the obvious sensible thing then I would expect the fish, and you, to have numerous changes of home by the time it gets to over 3 ft and on to full adult size and old age.
I would expect a 120 to be a good size to keep a baby fire eel for a number of years. Is it a tank for life, no, but I would expect every owner to “manage” that over time.

Also I don't know if you accidentally or were comparing, but just in case it was by accident I said a Tire Track Eel not a Fire Eel.

 

[Fishman Dave]

Also I don't know if you accidentally or were comparing, but just in case it was by accident I said a Tire Track Eel not a Fire Eel.

My apologies, misread.

My point remains however that you should get the largest tank you can. In the future you do not know how circumstances may change, none of us do. And if necessary you may be able to increase the tank size. I do not hold with the view of buy a baby fish and put it in a tank that will house it as an adult, generally as this is impractical in monster fish terms.
However, all this said, a tyre track will do well for many years in a 180.

 

[That Trinindad Pleco]

My apologies, misread.

My point remains however that you should get the largest tank you can. In the future you do not know how circumstances may change, none of us do. And if necessary you may be able to increase the tank size. I do not hold with the view of buy a baby fish and put it in a tank that will house it as an adult, generally as this is impractical in monster fish terms.
However, all this said, a tyre track will do well for many years in a 180.

So a Tyre Track should be good, I'm not going to get one as I like Tyre Tracks more, but just curious how big of a tank would a Fire Eel need?

 

[That Trinindad Pleco]

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