eels/variety

[fishstix]

Im interested in adding an eel like fish to my aquarium and was wondering what to get. Im considering spiny eels, fire eels, mudpuppies, and sirens. I have a 3" Oscar cichlid, but if i add the fish while he is still small is should be ok right? Ive read that oscars can grow attached to the fish they grow up with. I also have 3 tiger barbs 2 gold fish and 4 suckerfish. any suggestions would be really appreciated.

[trashion]

You really need to fix your stocking before you add anything to that tank. See my advice in your other thread.

[Blue Cray]

Get rid of the goldfish keep it as a tropical tank and you can get an eel and I recomend getting rid of the oscar it will get waaay to big for your tank and the plecos probably will as well.

[fishstix]

I only used the gold fish to start the nitrogen scyle in the tank, so its not a detremental loss to have them go. Im going to get rid of two of the plecos once the others get big enough to hold thier own against a full grown oscar. Oscars wont grow full size anyway in a smaller tank right? Maybe i should start completly over in fish choice

[trashion]

They might, and they might not. Without enough water changes, they won't, but you'll be dealing with hole-in-the-head disease, misshapen bodies with still-growing organs, and a host of other problems that stunting causes.

Starting over might be a good call.

[fishstix]

Ok, heres what i intend to do this weekend, Ill take three of the plecos and the oscar back to the fish store, buy some smaller algea eating fish and a spiny eel.

[trashion]

You should first ID the plecos and figure out what kind they are. If it's a common plecostomus (see here: http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/img...costomus_2.jpg) then all 4 need to go back. You don't need an algae-eating fish. If you don't overstock the tank and keep up regular weekly water changes, and don't leave the light on too long-you shouldn't have more than a normal dusting of algae.

If you get a spiny eel, make sure you get either a Zig-Zag or Peac0ck eel. A Tiretrack will get too large, as will a Fire eel.

I'd recommend picking up more Tiger Barbs as well to give them a good-sized school.

[fishstix]

I do believe they are common plecos, i meant to buy bearded corydoras but they looked similar and i assumed( somthing i should never do with fish as i have learned) that they were a similar if not the species i was looking for. I asked the pet shop folks if these fish would do well in a 55, and they said yes. I kind of feel conned...

[trashion]

Yeah, don't listen to fish shop employees, as a general rule.

[blcknwitecuban]

i didnt see this post before but kuhli loaches are eel like and fun to watch

[Eraserhead]

Originally Posted by fishstix

Ok, heres what i intend to do this weekend, Ill take three of the plecos and the oscar back to the fish store, buy some smaller algea eating fish and a spiny eel.

It depends on how big your tank is also. Tiretrack eels are awesome, they have a lot of personality and are actually really cute. I've got one that lived in a 20g when he was little, then moved to a 72, then to a 55, and is now with a bunch of Central American cichlids in a 175. You should be okay with a TT in a 55 or larger. Mine is probably about 16" long and is lots of fun. Keep in mind though that a TT is a carnivore, and will eat any fish in your tank that it can get down its throat. As far as getting along together, the Oscar probably won't bug the eel at all. I had mine with a Midas and it was fine. My Midas is insane, and eventually started going after the eel, but the Midas could never do any damage because of the eel's thick skin.

[Scuba Kid]

This thread is from April. I doubt the original poster is still seeking answers to this question.