Feeding Eli, my American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)!

[keithp]

I dont think mice are good for them, you wouldnt see mice in the middle of a pond or lake anyway. Do the eels die if they become mature and arent in salt water, or do they just stay the same and live longer in fresh water without breeding?

[SpinelessScales]

@keithp Good question.  I honestly don't know. I thought they would mature and die, but I've also heard accounts that longfin eels in landlocked freshwater lakes do mature and swim around actively trying to get to the ocean, but eventually settle down and return to their "normal" state, repeating this every year or so if they are unable to get out.

[geckosandreps1]

what should i feed my baby american eel and how much a week?

[SpinelessScales]

@geckosandreps1 American eels take a variety of things. The best diet would probably be sinking carnivore pellets(follow the directions on the package for how much and how often). If you can't get your hands on those, try fish, worms, insects, and crustaceans.

[SpinelessScales]

Guys I will not feed mice to Eli. They are way too messy and I don't want all the hair floating around in his tank.

[jeremygr82]

What size tank do you have him in? Im thinkin about moving mine (Elmer) to his own tank and hes about the same size as Eli. Thanks . Great vid

[SpinelessScales]

@jeremygr82 He's 17 inches. I have him in a 20 gallon long...though I'd like larger. I'm debating with myself if he enjoys being a little cramped or not.

[PhissurePRH]

Ah, I see what you mean by diggable bedding.

Do the leaves start to decay after a while?

[SpinelessScales]

@PhissurePRH

Yea at first they were all I had for the eel to hide under because I had no access to sand.

[yellowcardx08]

5 star

[GelatinousEncore]

nice brah. vesti represent here.

[BigBadBatam420]

Hell yeah, you should try pinkies (baby mice) next, that would be the shit.

[soccerstud03427]

@BigBadBatam420 ya but when u feed them mice hair and all this other stuff gets in the tank

[Fisherguy28]

@soccerstud03427 Pinkies don't have hair though.

[soccerstud03427]

@Fisherguy28 oh ya lol, i forgot about those

[SpinelessScales]

@Fisherguy28 But they still have guts, and an eel chomping on a little pinky will make a mess.

[Fisherguy28]

@SpinelessScales Good point. Yeah, forget pinkies.

[kevin91172]

That is cool! Very Different which I enjoy!