Do zig zag eels eat fish?

What size aquarium does a zig-zag eel need?

Each zig-zag eel requires an aquarium of at least 150 gallons, so you better have a whole lot of space in your home. Keep in mind that these things can live up to 20 years, so it is quite the commitment. You can keep them with smaller fish, but anything small enough to be eaten will be eaten.

What do zig zag eels eat?

Some Zig Zag Eels can be trained to eat freeze dried brine shrimp or bloodworms but this is not something that can be counted on. They will also eat small fishes so make sure their tank mates are too large to be able to fit into their mouths.

What fish can you mix with zigzag eels?

Although zig-zag eels are often combined with medium to large-sized gouramis, knifefish, danios, loaches, Loricariids, eartheaters, acaras, Cichlasomines and Asian catfishes in a community fish aquarium, they are not normally mixed with small-sized fish, because tire track eels are observed to prey upon smaller fish.

How long does it take for a zig zag eel to adjust?

Zig Zag Eels are sensitive to being moved around, it is best to purchase a specimen that has been at the fish store for at least a week or else the accumulated stress or two moves will leave this fish very week. Once introduced to its new aquarium it usually takes awhile for it to get over its shyness.

How to prevent disease in zig zag eels?

When keeping these sensitive types of fish, it is common to catch deteriorating water conditions and disease before other fish are affected. The best way to proactively prevent disease is to give your Zig Zag Eel the proper environment and give them a well balanced diet.

How big of a tank does a zig zag eel need?

At least 35 gallons for juveniles and a 150+ gallon tank for adults. The Zig-Zag Eel is often confused with the Tire track eel in pet shops, but the more reputable online stores for live freshwater fish label them right.

What is the history of the zig zag eel?

The Zig Zag Eel is a long time aquarium favorite, and it has been known for over 200 years! The Zig Zag Eel Mastacembelus armatus has a very long history. It was recognized and described over 200 years ago by Lacepède in 1800. It has been a favorite spiny eel kept by aquarium enthusiasts for many years.

What is another name for a spiny eel?

Other common names for this popular aquarium species are leopard spiny eel and white-spotted spiny eel. This species is not only a popular aquarium fish but also as a food fish in its country of origin.

What tropical fish can I keep with a koi fish?

It is better to keep other coldwater fish that has the same size and diet of a koi. But you can select some of the tropical fish with koi as you are putting them in a tank, not in a pond. Because here temperature is not an issue as you can easily control it.

What kind of water do eels like?

Zig-zag eels do well in freshwater or slightly brackish aquatic environments (produced by adding two teaspoons of sea salt (not iodated) per 2½ gallons of water) with 6 to 25 dH water hardness, with pH readings ranging from 6 to 8, and temperatures that are maintained between 73 and 81 °F (23 to 27 °C).

How often should I change the water in my zig zag eel?

Water Changes: Weekly – Water changes of about 30% weekly. Zig Zag Eels will spend most of their time on the bottom of the aquarium. This species of spiny eel can eventually grow to be quite large so plan accordingly. That cute little 4 inch fish may eventually grow to over 2 feet long!

Is the zig-zag eel the same as tire track eel?

The Zig-Zag Eel is often confused with the Tire track eel in pet shops, but the more reputable online stores for live freshwater fish label them right. The confusion occurs, because when the eel fish are being sold as juveniles, there isn’t much distinctive coloration between the two species.

How big do zig zag eels get?

That is their adult size. The Tire Track Eel can get up to about 28 inches (70 cm) long while this eel, the Zig Zag Eel M. armatus, will ultimately be quite a bit larger. It can reach up to 35 inches (90 cm) in length, though in the aquarium they usually won’t grow much more than 20 inches (51 cm).

What do you need for a zigzag eel?

The zig-zag eel requires the water to be between 73 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH level between 6.5 and 8, with a water hardness level between 5 and 15 dGH. A very strong filter that creates a fair amount of water movement is definitely recommended here, and something to help oxygenate the water too.

What does a zig zag eel look like?

These markings generally have a ‘tire track’ or ‘zig zag’ appearance which has been used as a common name for this fish as well as several other species of spiny eel. This fish should not be confused with its very similar looking relative, the Track Eel M. favus, which is smaller reaching only 26 inches (70 cm) in length.

How big of a tank do you need for an eel?

As they reach up to 2.5 feet or around 75 cm these eels need a fairly large tank of AT LEAST 125 gallons. In the wild, they occupy a territory of several square feet. If you plan on keeping two from the same species be sure to have an even larger tank as they can get pretty territorial.

What kind of heater do I need for a zig zag eel?

Same as with Fire Eels, to heat up a bigger tank, I recommend EHEIM’s Jager aquarium heater. It’s a strong heater that will provide and keep the needed temperature with just a few touches. Use no less than three 300-Watt units in your 180-gallon Zig-Zag Eel aquarium.

What is the difference between Zig Zag and tire track eels?

They both have ‘tire track’ or ‘zig zag’ type markings and both bear the common names of Zig Zag Eel and Tire Track Eel. The term “tire track eel’ can get rather confusing, There are actually several spiny eels that are called Tire Track Eels, and so are often mis-identified.

Is a spiny eel a fish?

This fish is not considered to be a true eel, but like all members of the Mastacembelidae family, known as the Spiny Eels, its body shape is definitely eel-like. It is very cute little fish when it is first acquired. It has an elongated body and a long snout, and is generally about 4 inches long.

How do eels swim?

Eels swim by generating body waves which travel the length of their bodies. They can swim backwards by reversing the direction of the wave. Most eels live in the shallow waters of the ocean and burrow into sand, mud, or amongst rocks. A majority of eel species are nocturnal, thus are rarely seen.