I had one for about 8years and he/she was a good friend, would wrap themselves around my wrist during tank maintenance and would do a fun little dance at the surface at feeding time, earthworms were the only food that was readily accepted, I tried feeders or grass shrimp and other live foods, tasted and quickly refused, worms were it. Some may say smaller stock may be at risk and I'd say that depends on the eel. Mine grew to about 20" in a 90 gallon and passed while under the care of my inlaws before I could move the tank to the new house, after that I didn't keep fish for @ 5 years, that's how attached you can get to these guys, they do like a nice cave to hide in and do better with a sand or a smooth rounded substrate and can handle a fairly broad range of water parameters as long as there aren't any sudden changes, but just the fact that your taking the time to cycle your tank and the time to ask before purchasing show you most likely have all the skills in place to care for one these wonderful critters, my only warning is when first introduced they can be shy and slow to feed but once you get them going they can be voracious eaters and in time may readily accept food from your hand, hope my personal experience helps in your decision if you have more questions I'll gladly try to help
