Eel ID

[AndyR83]

Hi,

I bought this eel about two months ago. It’s still incredibly shy, but I generally have no concerns. It’s usually always inside the same length of PVC pipe except when feeding, and even then only about two inches of it poke out to grab a bite. This tank was specifically aquascaped to make it a nice home for eels, so it includes many hiding places and mild lighting. I’m still hopeful this one may be seen more as time goes on but I understand reclusiveness is natural eel behavior and I’m ok with this either way. I noted a bit more of a predisposition towards hiding with this eel compared to my snowflakes and was hoping to research the species a bit more in-depth. This ultimately led me here to get a definitive ID.

The LFS told me this eel was a chainlink when I bought it. That said, it was a busy night and I don’t know if they actually laid eyes on it or not before saying this. I often go to this particular store on the day they receive new livestock shipments and this eel was still floating in the shipping bag when I got it. I could see a case of mistaken identity being possible since this is a high volume store and it’s often hectic, plus I know they got several eels in that week’s shipment.

The eel was about 5 inches long when purchased. It’s tough to be sure, but I think it’s about 8 or 9 inches currently. Its only two colors are distinctly white and brown. Tankmates include a snowflake eel who often shares the same PVC hiding spot for short periods, a dogface puffer, a fuzzy dwarf lion, and a watchman goby. I can add more pics if needed as well.

Thanks!

 

[El_Guapo13]

 

[Twink_w_a_Reef]

I don’t know a lot about eels but I’m trying to find it... I’m thinking chain link or Banded?

 

[lion king]

Looks like a chainlink to me, he's still a baby. The face looks like a banded but the body looks like a chainlink, markings vary and juvi's have more diffused markings; a banded would have somewhat symmetrical bands that go from head to toe. With the snowflake as a buddy, he'll likely start coming out more when he matures a bit.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Hmmm... it’s hard to tell from those photos, but could it be a baby tessalata eel?

 

[S2G]

I say banded. Its def not a chainlink


Here's when I first got it.

 

[Jaebster]

Hi,

I bought this eel about two months ago. It’s still incredibly shy, but I generally have no concerns. It’s usually always inside the same length of PVC pipe except when feeding, and even then only about two inches of it poke out to grab a bite. This tank was specifically aquascaped to make it a nice home for eels, so it includes many hiding places and mild lighting. I’m still hopeful this one may be seen more as time goes on but I understand reclusiveness is natural eel behavior and I’m ok with this either way. I noted a bit more of a predisposition towards hiding with this eel compared to my snowflakes and was hoping to research the species a bit more in-depth. This ultimately led me here to get a definitive ID.

The LFS told me this eel was a chainlink when I bought it. That said, it was a busy night and I don’t know if they actually laid eyes on it or not before saying this. I often go to this particular store on the day they receive new livestock shipments and this eel was still floating in the shipping bag when I got it. I could see a case of mistaken identity being possible since this is a high volume store and it’s often hectic, plus I know they got several eels in that week’s shipment.

The eel was about 5 inches long when purchased. It’s tough to be sure, but I think it’s about 8 or 9 inches currently. Its only two colors are distinctly white and brown. Tankmates include a snowflake eel who often shares the same PVC hiding spot for short periods, a dogface puffer, a fuzzy dwarf lion, and a watchman goby. I can add more pics if needed as well.

Thanks!

That's a super cool looking eel!