
You can feed Fire Eels live food, such as bloodworms The Polychaeta, also known as the bristle worms or polychaetes, are a paraphyletic class of annelid worms, generally marine. Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia that bear many bristles, called chaetae, which are made of chitin. As such, polychaetes are sometimes re…Polychaete
What do you feed a fire eel?
You can feed young fire eels a steady diet of bloodworms, like Tetra's BloodWorms freeze-dried fish food. To really grow and stay healthy, a fire eel needs a well-rounded diet of shrimp, fish (like chopped bits of tilapia), insects and earthworms. Don't bother with ordinary fish food; a fire eel won't be interested.
What is the deadliest eel in the world?
What is the deadliest eel in the world?
- Candiru.
- Great White Shark.
- Moray Eel.
- Tigerfish. Tigerfish.
- Piranha. Piranha eating a fish.
- Stonefish. Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa).
- Atlantic Manta. manta ray moodboard—moodboard/Thinkstock.
- Electric Eel. electric eel Toni Angermayer/Photo Researchers.
What are the Eels favorite food?
- If you had to name one staple food of the East End of London, it would no doubt be jellied eels.
- Jellied eels and London have a history that is hundreds of years old, going back to the times when the eel population was thriving in the River Thames.
- Today, despite the eels disappearing from the river, a handful of local merchants remain. ...
What is the lifespan of a fire eel?
You can expect the Fire Eel in your home tank to grow to about 20 inches (60.8 cm) and live for about 10 years with proper care. In their natural habitat, however, Fire Eels grow to 3.3 feet (about 1 meter) and live twice as long – about 20 years! Clearly, Fire Eels are more likely to thrive in the wild.

What should I feed my eel?
A well-balanced eel diet consists of high-protein foods, such as frozen and freeze-dried bloodworms, krill or brine shrimp, and live foods, such as earthworms and black worms. Things to remember when feeding your eel: Feed them daily.
What fish can live with fire eel?
Fire eel is considered a docile fish that will mostly ignore bigger tank-mates. However, it is a predator and cannot be housed with smaller fish as these may be easily consumed. Best tank-mates should include Oscar fish, Angel fish, Bumblebee Catfish, and Green terror.
What do large Fire eels eat?
The fire eel feeds on invertebrates (such as insect larvae, worms, and crustaceans), smaller fish, plant matter, and detritus. In captivity, they only rarely eat plant matter.
Will fire eel eat flakes?
In a home aquarium, Fire Eels recognize their owners and will accept food from their hands. This is a significantly more satisfying experience than dropping pinches of flakes into a tank. You can feed Fire Eels live food, such as bloodworms, small fish, and tubifex; they will also be happy with dry and frozen food.
Can I keep 2 fire eel?
Fire eels don't play well with others. These freshwater fish don't breed in captivity, so you can only have one at a time. While an adult fire eel can tolerate a younger one, these freshwater fish have been known to fight among themselves and behave aggressively toward other fish in the spiny eel family.
How quick do Fire eels grow?
A: Fire eels grow relatively slowly in captivity at a rate of around four or five inches a year. Once the eels are over a foot long, the growth rate tends to slow down.
How do you feed aquarium eels?
0:060:53Feeding A Snowflake Eel | Beginner Guide To Saltwater AquariumsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI actually have silver sides here and then I use a stick a lot of people like to use their fingersMoreI actually have silver sides here and then I use a stick a lot of people like to use their fingers to feed it you not a good idea.
Do Fire eels eat shrimp?
2:353:01Fire Eel Eats Shrimp - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just simply have to have a huge aquarium to keep them. And they are predatory fish they will eatMoreYou just simply have to have a huge aquarium to keep them. And they are predatory fish they will eat any fish I believe that's not armored or prickly that will fit into their mouths.
How do you feed fire?
2:354:48How to Light and Feed a Fire - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlacing wood on the fire needs to be done so that the flow of air is not cut off that's why CrissMorePlacing wood on the fire needs to be done so that the flow of air is not cut off that's why Criss crossing the wood is better than laying it parallel to nearby pieces. You want the fire to breathe.
Can eels eat fish food?
These may contain ingredients such as beef livers, tubifex worms, and fish meal. Eel feed may also contain ingredients such as binders, wheat, starch, soybean meal, corn, vegetable or animal fat, minerals and vitamins. Tubifex worms, chopped clam, and fish meal are used as a starter diet for young eels, called elvers.
Can a fire eel shock you?
A few of the most common health problems among Fire eels are parasite attacks, injuries and shock.
Can fire eel live with Bichir?
Some Bichir Fish only reach 12 inches, which means they're a great addition to a smaller tank. However, they can reach 2.5 feet in length, so if you get a larger Bichir Fish, you might need closer to a 100- or 150-gallon tank to fit both them and a Fire Eel!
Do Fire eels shock you?
A few of the most common health problems among Fire eels are parasite attacks, injuries and shock.
How much does a fire eel cost?
The price of a Fire Eel can be anywhere from $20 to almost $300, depending on size.
What is a fire eel?
Fire eel Keeping and Feeding. Fire eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia) resembles a true eel, that’s why the fish got its name. However, this fish has nothing in common with eels despite its snake like body and pointed snout. This is a renown tank and commercial fish.
What is the difference between a red fire eel and a red fire eel?
The dorsal is divided into two parts. Both anal and dorsal fins are narrow and long and they end near caudal fin. Red fire eel has no abdominal fins.
How long does a fish egg stage last?
The egg stage lasts about 48-72 hours.
Where are the nostrils on a fire eel?
Near the anterior border of the fish eye there are its posterior nostrils. When looking for food fire eel feels the bottom with a sensitive fleshy outgrowth on its snout. At the end of this long nose appendage there are two tubulated nostrils. Due to this peculiarity fire eel is referred to Mastacembelidae family.
Can Mastacembelus erythrotaenia be fed?
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia can be hand feed by its owner, whom the fish starts to recognize rather quickly. The fish should be fed with any live food (for example, tubifex, bloodworm, small fishes), dry and frozen food as well.
Can fire eels escape from a tank?
You should make sure that there are no cracks in the tank, otherwise fire eel will easily ‘escape’ from the tank through the tiniest slit. Since the fish demonstrates aggression towards its kind, you should keep it alone in a tank but it may have a company of some active and peaceful tank fishes.
Can you breed fire eels in captivity?
Fire eel is a very challenging species to breed in captivity, so it is quite a troublesome thing to do. You should use some special hormonal injections, but even after this it doesn’t guarantee that you achieve the anticipated results.
What do fire eels eat?
In their natural habitat in Southeast Asian rivers, Fire Eels prey on small crabs, insect larvae, snails, and worms. In a home aquarium, Fire Eels recognize their owners and will accept food from their hands. This is a significantly more satisfying experience than dropping pinches of flakes into a tank.
How to keep a fire eel healthy?
Do regular tests to make certain that the water parameters are at the recommended levels so that your Fire Eel can thrive. Reduce stress on your Fire Eel by providing enough space –this is really key for a healthy fish and maximizes its chances of longevity.
Why aren't fire eels as big as captivity?
One is that it is difficult to recreate the water conditions that the eels have in their natural habitat; the other is that even with a very large home aquarium, there is not enough room for that kind of growth.
How big can a fire eel get?
In terms of size, you can expect your Fire Eel to reach a maximum length of 20 inches (60.8 cm); if they were in the wild, they would be much bigger, reaching a length of 3.3 feet, or about a meter. Even at 20 inches, the Fire Eel is one of the largest spiny eels in the aquarium hobby.
How long do fire eels live?
You can expect the Fire Eel in your home tank to grow to about 20 inches (60.8 cm) and live for about 10 years with proper care. In their natural habitat, however, Fire Eels grow to 3.3 feet (about 1 meter) and live twice as long – about 20 years! Clearly, Fire Eels are more likely to thrive in the wild.
How many liters of water do you need for a fire eel?
Because the Fire Eel grows to be so large, you will need an 80-gallon tank at a minimum, or about 350 liters. Fire Eels grow quickly, so don’t expect to be able to start out with a smaller tank and then upgrade–they need the space immediately.
How many nostril tubes does a fire eel have?
At the end of the growth on his nose, there are two nostril tubes. It’s truly an unforgettable look. If you happen to be enjoying a view of your tank during the day and see a long nose and huge eyes sticking out of the substrate, that’s just your Fire Eel doing some daytime burrowing.
How many gallons of water do you need for a fire eel?
You will need at least a 55-gallon tank for juveniles and at least a 180-gallon tank for the adults. Since these fishes love to stay in muddy bottoms, you should then fill up your tank with a mud substrate layer. This layer should be around 5 cm thick so that the fire eel fish can safely settle down there comfortably.
What is a fire eel fish?
Owing to this, there is a need for a big tank. The fish also love to burrow a lot. Fire Eel is a dark brown bottom-dwelling fish species with the appearance of an eel.
How thick should a fire eel tank be?
This layer should be around 5 cm thick so that the fire eel fish can safely settle down there comfortably. You should add rocks in the tanks so that the fishes can hide there when they don’t have to come up in the water. You need to ensure that the temperature is always maintained at about 74 to 82 degrees F.
How many eggs do fire eels lay?
During one session of breeding, a female fire eel fish lays about 670 to 1000 eggs! The fishes are then taken out of the tank after this spawning process.
How big do fire eels get?
They grow to be quite long and they can reach up to 3’3” in length when they are in the wild. In captivity, though, they can grow to a maximum length of about 20 inches.
How long do fire eels live?
LIFE. 20 years. Fire Eel is a dark brown bottom-dwelling fish species with the appearance of an eel. They are widely distributed in South-Eastern Asian waters where they can grow up to a length of 32 inches. Well, it is worth noting that the ‘fire‘ in their name is not just another addition.
Why is it important to clean water for fire eels?
Hence you need to ensure that you clean the water regularly with a highly effective filter. You have to keep the water flowing at all times so that the fire eel fish feels comfortable inside.
What is a Fire Eel?
It’s a relatively large species associated with spiny eel. Mostly found in SouthEast Asian regions, this predatory freshwater fish is getting endangered due to overfishing and trading for food.
What are the facts about Fire Eels?
This pretty-looking Fire eel can be a showoff factor for your aquarium if you have one at your home. If you are out there searching for a unique and large tank mate, the Fire Eel is just the one.
Where can you buy a Fire Eel?
If you live in Southeast Asia, you may possibly find aquatic shops or dealers selling Fire Eels as a pet or maybe food. But if you live somewhere other than these coastal regions, you may purchase Fire Eel via importing from your nearest available online seller.
How to care for your Fire Eel?
The best care Fire Eels would get is providing them with almost the same conditions they used to get in freshwater habitats. Perform regular water cleaning and changing. Use of a good quality filter along with plausible water conditions so the Fire Eel can sustain well.
Fire Eel: Habitat and Tank Conditions
It is important to keep habitable surroundings for the eel to sustain as it would in a freshwater lake.
Tank Mates
Fire Eel is quite a peaceful creature and won’t bother bigger fish as its tankmates. But surely would eat up smaller fishes. Some well suitable tank mates for Fire Eel are Angel Fish, Green Terror, Oscar Fish, and Barbs.
Breeding
Breeding Fire Eels is a daunting task which you should never attempt to do. Even if you make up your mind, avoid performing it in captivity. Due to territorial conflicts, two Fire Eels in the same tank won’t be a playdate for them for sure, it would be a tumultuous feeling for them.

Fire Eel Facts & Overview
Appearance
- Covered with scales, the Fire Eel’s long, snakelike body is dark brown with 4 stripes placed laterally. These stripes have either red or orange hues and have spots that vary depending on the age of the eel and the condition of your tank. The dorsal fin of the Fire Eel is divided into two parts, and it has a tail that is fully developed. The dorsal and anal fins are long and narrow and located …
Habitat and Tank Conditions
- Because the Fire Eel grows to be so large, you will need an 80-gallon tank at a minimum, or about 350 liters. Fire Eels grow quickly, so don’t expect to be able to start out with a smaller tank and then upgrade–they need the space immediately. For optimal quality of life, it is best to recreate the conditions that Fire Eels have in the wild. Even if they are bred in captivity, they still have the i…
Diet
- In their natural habitat in Southeast Asian rivers, Fire Eels prey on small crabs, insect larvae, snails, and worms. In a home aquarium, Fire Eels recognize their owners and will accept food from their hands. This is a significantly more satisfying experience than dropping pinches of flakes into a tank. You can feed Fire Eels live food, such as blo...
Care
- The best care for Fire Eels is not too different than caring for other aquarium fish. Make sure to keep their tank clean by performing regular water changes and using a quality filter. Do regular tests to make certain that the water parameters are at the recommended levels so that your Fire Eel can thrive. Reduce stress on your Fire Eel by providing enough space–this is really key for a …
Breeding
- If you have the inclination of attempting the daunting task of breeding Fire Eels, you should know that we do not recommend breeding in captivity. First of all, Fire Eels do not do well when they are together in a tank, so bringing two together for mating will be tumultuous. Second, you will need a lot of space for both the regular tank and the breeding tank. Finally, it’s difficult to recreate the e…
Are Fire Eels Suitable For Your Aquarium?
- It’s true that Fire Eels require a significant amount of real estate. However, if you’re up to the challenge, they can be a rewarding addition to your community aquarium, and when they come out of hiding at night, they surely stand out in the tank. Is Fire Eel your favorite big fish? Leave a comment about what you love about Fire Eels