Peacock Eel in 20G

[devinb96]

Anyone have any thoughts of having a Peacock Eel in a 20 Gallon tank? It's 30"L; 12"W; 18.5"H w/ PFS substrate and live plants.


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[NigelK8485]

When they're young it's okay. They'll need a larger tank though, at least three feet long.


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[devinb96]

When they're young it's okay. They'll need a larger tank though, at least three feet long.


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Aaaah OK thanks, are they fast growers?
If not I'll probably get a new tank like a 40-55 gallon within the next year.

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[NigelK8485]

I'm not sure, I just remember when I was looking up different eels it mentioned a minimum of a 36" long tank. I've never actually had one though.


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[devinb96]

I'm not sure, I just remember when I was looking up different eels it mentioned a minimum of a 36" long tank. I've never actually had one though.


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Aaaah OK, I think it'll be fine with a 30" tank.

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[absolutangel04]

I vote no. Peacock eels reach a decent size, and one of more commonly available peacock eels is Macrognathus siamensis which can reach anywhere from 10 inches to 14 inches. They do spend most of their time in one place since they are ambush predators, but I am not really a fan of a 14 inch fish in a 30 inch tank. Macrognathus aculeatus is a bit smaller, but still it it kind of a stretch for the term in my opinion.
As for the potential bigger tank, in my experience and opinion, it is a lot better to not buy species for a tank you don't have yet. A lot of life can happen in get in the way between now and "probably in the future."
They are not especially fast growers though generally. Generally, they are around 4-6 inches at the time of purchase. If you are certain you will upgrade, you could try it out as long as you are ready for care if you want to. Honestly, they are a bit fragile and difficult to keep alive long term. It is quite common for people to really only keep them alive in a community for like a year. I would vote on waiting for your tank upgrade. Up to you though.

 

[NigelK8485]

Apparently they're difficult to convince to eat, too. I think it's a bad idea to get one as well.


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[devinb96]

I vote no. Peacock eels reach a decent size, and one of more commonly available peacock eels is Macrognathus siamensis which can reach anywhere from 10 inches to 14 inches. They do spend most of their time in one place since they are ambush predators, but I am not really a fan of a 14 inch fish in a 30 inch tank. Macrognathus aculeatus is a bit smaller, but still it it kind of a stretch for the term in my opinion.
As for the potential bigger tank, in my experience and opinion, it is a lot better to not buy species for a tank you don't have yet. A lot of life can happen in get in the way between now and "probably in the future."
They are not especially fast growers though generally. Generally, they are around 4-6 inches at the time of purchase. If you are certain you will upgrade, you could try it out as long as you are ready for care if you want to. Honestly, they are a bit fragile and difficult to keep alive long term. It is quite common for people to really only keep them alive in a community for like a year. I would vote on waiting for your tank upgrade. Up to you though.

Mmmmmk, definitely taking what you've said into consideration. I'm just wondering if there's any type of spiny eel i can keep in a 20 gallon 30x12x18.5 tank?
Black Kuhli Loaches, Gold Dojo Loaches, or Bichirs??

 

[ywagner]

Kuhli loaches would be fine, but prob not the rest. If say a 40 would be the bare minimum for a longer term housing for bichirs.


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[devinb96]

Kuhli loaches would be fine, but prob not the rest. If say a 40 would be the bare minimum for a longer term housing for bichirs.


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Dang, was really hoping I could get a spiny eel for my 20 gallon...

 

[ywagner]

Ya probably not, I mean you could for a while and just sell back to lfs


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[ywagner]

If you are looking for predatory you could do fw puffers like figure eight, they do require brackish but I always got away without it.

Only thing is it would become a species only tank but they are cool little buggers and well worth it.


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[devinb96]

If you are looking for predatory you could do fw puffers like figure eight, they do require brackish but I always got away without it.

Only thing is it would become a species only tank but they are cool little buggers and well worth it.


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Dang, maybe I can kind someone who has a bigger tank and use it. But I guess I won't be able to till then. I'd get kuhli loaches but they're too shy and nocturnal...

 

[absolutangel04]

If you got a pile of kuhlis, you might well see them far more than you would have ever seen an eel. I kept both for years and I definitely saw my kuhlis a lot. If you give them the right sort of environment where they don't feel like they need to hide, you will generally see them. No guarantee of course. But, spiny eels really like hiding too. They often only come out in the open when they have no choice, at least not until they get decently sized.
I agree that kuhlis would be your best bet if you want something long and slinky. If you can eventually get a bigger tank, I definitely suggets the dojo loach. Of all the eel-looking fish I have owned, they are the least shy and the most active during the day. Wonderful fish!

 

[devinb96]

If you got a pile of kuhlis, you might well see them far more than you would have ever seen an eel. I kept both for years and I definitely saw my kuhlis a lot. If you give them the right sort of environment where they don't feel like they need to hide, you will generally see them. No guarantee of course. But, spiny eels really like hiding too. They often only come out in the open when they have no choice, at least not until they get decently sized.
I agree that kuhlis would be your best bet if you want something long and slinky. If you can eventually get a bigger tank, I definitely suggets the dojo loach. Of all the eel-looking fish I have owned, they are the least shy and the most active during the day. Wonderful fish!

Oh that's perfect! I just set my tank up with some 3-5 inches of sand and now all I have to do is buy some plants for it! letting it cycle right now because I got a new filter as well.
I am going to buy the plants next weekend. I'm going to go for some Amazon Swords, Anubias', and maybe even some Acorus'.

 

[absolutangel04]

Kuhlis are great for mixing your sand around too. lol. I obviously cant guarantee yours will be come out, but that has been my experience in various tanks. Most other people I have talked to have also said they see theirs a lot. Having a large group can make a difference too. Also, don't be surprised if it takes them a bit of time to adjust after purchaser before they up to their normal behavior. Mine loved to sit in my plants like hammocks.

 

[devinb96]

Kuhlis are great for mixing your sand around too. lol. I obviously cant guarantee yours will be come out, but that has been my experience in various tanks. Most other people I have talked to have also said they see theirs a lot. Having a large group can make a difference too. Also, don't be surprised if it takes them a bit of time to adjust after purchaser before they up to their normal behavior. Mine loved to sit in my plants like hammocks.

Aaaah, good to know! Yeah I think with five or six of them they will be pretty sociable!

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[absolutangel04]

I would more like 8-10 at least. They actually have a pretty small bioload comparable to their size, and they are a species where more is better. 5-6 would be a good place to start.
By the way, you may have known this already, but the striped kuhli and the black kuhli are 2 different species. I have found they will coexist and interact just fine, but they prefer the company of their own species. Personally, I prefer the colors of the striped kuhli though I tend to see the black kuhli more commonly available.

 

[devinb96]

I would more like 8-10 at least. They actually have a pretty small bioload comparable to their size, and they are a species where more is better. 5-6 would be a good place to start.
By the way, you may have known this already, but the striped kuhli and the black kuhli are 2 different species. I have found they will coexist and interact just fine, but they prefer the company of their own species. Personally, I prefer the colors of the striped kuhli though I tend to see the black kuhli more commonly available.

Yeah, I definitely want the striped. They look a lot more interesting then the black ones for sure Haha, can't wait to get them! And should I put in a lot of low growing plants, if so what kind is there that are low growing that aren't carpeting plants?

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[absolutangel04]

Yeah, I definitely want the striped. They look a lot more interesting then the black ones for sure Haha, can't wait to get them! And should I put in a lot of low growing plants, if so what kind is there that are low growing that aren't carpeting plants?

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I never make complicated aquascapes, but I have done a lot of java ferns, anubias nana, and various crypts. They don't get too tall. My tanks also insist on growing java moss like nobody's business, so I end up with that stuck around too and my current dojos love sitting in it.