zebra eel

[limitedslip]

I went to my LFS today, and traded in my small fish and some inverts for store credit, since my bigger fish were pickin on em. Long story short, I saw the eel and fell in love, but 2 problems arose in my head.
Problem 1: the 2 eels they have in stock have not eaten for a month...they said they have tried krill, silverside, and 3 different grocery store combos of gumbo mixes. If I picked it up, how long could it last w/o eating, and is there anything I could do/food to try to get the eel to eat?
Problem 2: my lighting is positioned a good distance from the tank, so their is no lid, would the eel try and escape if there is no lid? Is it like an octopus and needs to be secured tightly?

 

[ccampbell57]

Originally Posted by Limitedslip
I went to my LFS today, and traded in my small fish and some inverts for store credit, since my bigger fish were pickin on em. Long story short, I saw the eel and fell in love, but 2 problems arose in my head.
Problem 1: the 2 eels they have in stock have not eaten for a month...they said they have tried krill, silverside, and 3 different grocery store combos of gumbo mixes. If I picked it up, how long could it last w/o eating, and is there anything I could do/food to try to get the eel to eat?
Problem 2: my lighting is positioned a good distance from the tank, so their is no lid, would the eel try and escape if there is no lid? Is it like an octopus and needs to be secured tightly?
If the animal is not eating at the store, the chances of it eating at your place is minimal. Leave it there.
The second issue is a huge issue. Eels are notorious for escaping from tanks. Especially when the lights are turned on. The come to the surface and will get out of the tank. In order to house an eel the top must be sealed.

 

[kjr_trig]

Originally Posted by ccampbell57
If the animal is not eating at the store, the chances of it eating at your place is minimal. Leave it there.
The second issue is a huge issue. Eels are notorious for escaping from tanks. Especially when the lights are turned on. The come to the surface and will get out of the tank. In order to house an eel the top must be sealed.
Agreed and Agreed...Never buy a fish that is not eating, and never buy an eel if you don't have a really good lid.