Data sheet floss eels
German name:
fin eels
Scientific name:
Erpetoichthys calabaricus
Origin:
mainly in Africa (Nigeria to Congo)
Size:
Body length max. 40 cm – 50 cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 120 cm width
Contents:
from 200 liters
water values
Temperature:
22°-28° C
pH:
6 – 7.5
GH:
5° – 19° dH
Behave
Area:
lower area
Lining:
Strong live food such as shrimp and frozen food
Behave:
extremely sociable
Number:
Group housing, at least 3 animals is recommended
Difficulty level:
Beginner © Citron / CC BY-SA 3.0, Polypterus ornatipinnis, CC BY-SA 3.0
Erpetoichthys calabaricus – Flosselaal Source: picture on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 2.5 Author: OpenCage
Fin eels, Erpetoichthys calabricus, grow to at least 40 centimeters. In nature, they are even said to be 90 centimeters tall.
Fin eels are rather quiet animals that are nocturnal, at least in some aquariums. But they climb out of every crack in the aquarium, mostly at night.
The animals may climb out of the aquarium when they are still young or the keeping conditions are not right.
The aquarium must be completely sealed. In the case of external filters, the hose entry area must be lined with foam.
They need to be kept company. The minimum number is four animals, otherwise they become lonely. Fin eels kept alone should die quickly.
Erpetoichthys calabaricus – Flosselaal Source: Picture on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: Michal Zalewski
Fin eels can breathe air. From time to time they rise to the surface of the water, pop their mouths out of the water, take a sip of air and dive back down.
Fin eels are very shy, except when feeding.
The aquarium must offer good hiding places and shelters, e.g. B. from deep stone caves, bamboo canes or roots.
The lighting should not be too bright. The tank should be densely planted.
No special conditions are imposed on the water parameters. Soft water is preferred.
The gender differences
Males are said to have 12-14 dark olive rays in the anal fin. Females are said to have 9 light ocher rays. During the spawning season, the male’s anal fin is said to be thickened.
However, the rays are difficult to see. If the animals are lying quietly and visible, e.g. B. before food, the anal fin is folded. When the animals swim, they are too fast to count the individual rays.
Food for fin eels
Fin eels eat live and frozen food.
© Christian Kollenberg
Suitable feed:
- frozen or freeze-dried Tubifex
- worms
- mosquito larvae
- Fly maggots from the fishing shop
- mealworms
- crayfish
- insect larvae
- mussel meat
- fish meat cut into strips
- beef
- horse meat
- small frogs. No native frogs may be fed, only frogs from our own breeding.
From time to time, raw minced meat can be fed.
FAQs – Frequently asked questions about fin eels
How long does the floss eel get?
The fin eel can reach a maximum length of approx. 40 – 50 cm.
What do fin eels eat?
Fin eels only eat live food and meat (fish, mussels, crabs, insect larvae, heart, beef and horsemeat). Therefore, they are only conditionally suitable for a community tank. Small fish could be eaten.
Do fin eels have teeth?
Fin eels have conical, pointed and backward-curved fangs on the edges of the jaws and on the front palate area. The ectopterygoid, a bone lying further back in the «roof of the mouth» and the prearticulare, a lower jaw bone, are occupied with truncated conical teeth.