ZigZag, aka Tire Track Eels

[Nancy P]

Query: How comfortable are these Eels in a cichlid tank?

New addition 'Ziggy', seems to be doing OK after 6 weeks, but want to make sure he (she?) is content. The Brichardii Cichlids he is housed with occasionally nip/chase, but I never see any significant damage...Ziggy seems to ignore most everyone else, 'cause he's THAT cool! 😉 Am not sure he is pleased with substrate, which is part 'natural' gravel/pebbles and specialty cichlid bio-mix, with shells...I do see him rooting about in the substrate, but think he might be happier with sand? That said, he loves to hang out in the floating Hornwort: looks like he's hanging out in a hammock! But, would he be better in a community tank with tetras, corys, snails, etc?

[Zenzo]

In my opinion, long term, the cichlid tank that you have the eel in may not be ideal. They prefer being housed with fish that are less aggressive. One thing to keep in mind is that they can get large, and when they grow, they can look at small fish as prey. I would not house it with small fish that could be eaten at night. Regarding the substrate, they prefer a "softer" substrate...something without sharp points too.

Enjoy your eel! They can be a lot of fun to keep under the right conditions. 

 

[Torrey]

On 6/19/2022 at 2:55 PM, Nancy P said:

Query: How comfortable are these Eels in a cichlid tank?

New addition 'Ziggy', seems to be doing OK after 6 weeks, but want to make sure he (she?) is content. The Brichardii Cichlids he is housed with occasionally nip/chase, but I never see any significant damage...Ziggy seems to ignore most everyone else, 'cause he's THAT cool! 😉 Am not sure he is pleased with substrate, which is part 'natural' gravel/pebbles and specialty cichlid bio-mix, with shells...I do see him rooting about in the substrate, but think he might be happier with sand? That said, he loves to hang out in the floating Hornwort: looks like he's hanging out in a hammock! But, would he be better in a community tank with tetras, corys, snails, etc?

Sand, soft soil, or my eel preferred the mulm under the UGF until he got too big to fit. I second Zenzo, they prefer peaceful, less inquisitive (with their mouths) tank mates and a softer substrate with leaf litter they can explore.

My first eel was with cichlids, and I thought it was cute how he hid in the UGF and went up and down the uplift tubes... until I learned enough about how to read animal behavior and realized he opted for suboptimal water conditions because he didn't feel safe in the tank. Eventually he got big enough he didn't fit in the tubes anymore, and about half a year after that the smaller fish who had bullied him in his youth would disappear at night.

They are smart, inquisitive, and can plan out how to get what they want if their needs are not met. Breeder tank for feeders was next to the cichlid eel tank, and my ex swears he got up early one morning to find the eel moving back to the main tank from the feeder (it was physically possible, I'm just not sure of the story because there was a tendency for tall tales). Eel could lift the lid once full grown....

[Nancy P]

Thank you both! I kinda thought this was the case.....appreciate your input. Darn...MAY need another tank...oh, shucky darn 😉

[Torrey]

On 6/20/2022 at 7:40 PM, Nancy P said:

Thank you both! I kinda thought this was the case.....appreciate your input. Darn...MAY need another tank...oh, shucky darn 😉

ORD🤣

Oh, darn. How horrible. Must get another tank for the eel to be happy, lol

[Nancy P]

Well, then he would need new tankmates as well, no?! ah hahaha