The tire track eel is indigenous to Southeast Asia’s freshwater ecosystems.
It is an interesting addition to community tanks because of its long body, black uneven pattern from head to tail, and overall snake-like look.
Tire track eels are renowned for being challenging to maintain. Therefore, we create this detailed guide to provide you with all the information about caring for these freshwater eels.
Contents
Tire Track Eel Tank Mates
Although tire track eels are not precisely timid, they are sensitive and reserved.
Your eels should get along in community tanks if you choose the correct tank mates for them.
Ideal Tank Mates
Medium to big-size fish that share tire track eels’ timid, non-aggressive attitude make good aquarium companions.
They won’t start arguments or bully their tank mates. Tire track eels shouldn’t be kept with fish that are tiny enough to be eaten since they are meat-loving omnivores and will happily devour little fish.
Similar-sized fish that won’t prey on them or be preyed upon by the eels would be the best choices.
Some good tank mates for the tire track eel:
- Electric Blue Acara
- Knife fish
- Gouramis
Can You Keep A Group of Tire Track Eels?
Yes, technically. Tire track eels may be kept together, but only when they are young.
When surrounded by members of their own species, freshwater eels frequently become combative and defensive about their personal space.
For this reason, you should separate and keep tire track eels individually for calm community tanks, even if you may keep them together when they are young.
How Big Can a Tire Track Eel Grow?
The size of the tire track eel depends on a number of variables. It can grow larger in the wild and of course smaller in captivity.
The tire track eel is smaller than other eel species and you should not mistake it for its relative, the zigzag eel, which can grow bigger than the tire track eel.
Maximum Size
A tire track eel may grow up to 26 inches long in captivity, however, they often reach only 20 inches in the tank.
Tire track eels are large fish, the 4-inches long fries may easily reach 36 inches in the wild. Due to variations in lifestyle, diet, and room to roam around, their development in captivity is at least 10 inches shorter than their growth in the wild.
They won’t get too big in your community tank, but if you want them to thrive in captivity, you’ll need to provide them with a spacious tank, ideal living circumstances, and healthy food.
Tire Track Eel’s Growth: Factors that Influence It
The food of tire track eels is the most crucial element. Besides, genetics, age, and other living circumstances will affect the eel’s growth.
Aquarium enthusiasts may find it annoying to feed tire track eels. They won’t develop properly if they don’t eat correctly. Hence, experimenting with food is vital. Watch how your tire track eel responds to various things and give it as much of what it likes as you can.
How Much Time Does a Tire Track Eel Take to Grow?
Tire track eels tend to develop slowly, yet their growth rate might vary depending on their environment. The freshwater eels in question do not grow quickly. Their typical monthly growth is between 0.5 and 1 inch.
You might not even realize that your tire track eel has grown since the size of its body will vary very slowly as it develops.
Lifespan
The tire track eel has a lifetime that might be between 8 and 18 years. Their life expectancy varies, much as their rate of growth, because it is based on their health and environment.
Tire track eels are not difficult to care for, but enthusiasts who preserve them must have a certain amount of knowledge. This is due to the quiet nature and sensitivity of tire track eels to environmental changes.
Therefore, unless you have prior fishkeeping expertise, you shouldn’t introduce this species to your aquarium. It is not recommended for beginners to have one of these freshwater eels as their first fish.
It’s simple to set up a tank for tire track eels, and keeping the aquarium clean doesn’t take much work. You run the risk of endangering the eels’ health if their dwelling circumstances are not good enough.
Water Quality
Tire track eels live in neutral, somewhat warm water. The ideal tank configuration for these eels closely resembles the water characteristics of their environment.
As a result, the water in their tank should be kept at a temperature between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and its pH level shouldn’t go below 6.8 or rise over 7.2.
Additionally, tire track eels demand medium-hardness water, ideally between 10 and 16 dH.
Ideal Tank Dimensions
Large fish called tire track eels may reach lengths of 26 inches when kept in aquariums. So, to keep them, a large tank is needed.
A fish that is fully developed will need an aquarium with a minimum capacity of 50 gallons. This species should ideally be housed in a tank that is at least 70 to 75 gallons large.
Double the size of the aquarium’s tank if you intend to maintain more than one tire track eel inside. This is due to the fact that these freshwater eels are territorial and would suffer if they are forced to compete for space with other members of their own species.
What Should Be Put In The Tank?
Eels from tire tracks are burrowers and foragers who enjoy the substrate. When putting up an aquarium, it’s crucial to keep this quality in mind. The comfort of your tire track eels will be jeopardized if there aren’t any places for them to hide at the bottom of the tank.
By adding a substantial layer of soft substrate consisting of sand or gravel to the tank, you may create the perfect aquarium for these freshwater eels.
To give your tire track eels plenty of places to hide out, you should also add rocks and caverns to the tank.
You may add aquarium plants in addition to the soft substrate to replicate the habitat of aquatic life. We do not advise overcrowding your tank with plants because these species have the propensity to uproot them when digging, leaving your tank dirty.
We advise using floating plants since they maintain the water clear and hygienic while also keeping eels away. Since tire track eels are nocturnal creatures, you must keep the tank dark and use as little illumination as possible. You may achieve that effect and dim the light by using floating plants.
Tire Track Eel Food
Eels seen in tire tracks have unique eating behaviors. When they do eat, they might be fussy about what they want because they don’t eat very frequently. Therefore, feeding children wholesome meals is essential for their development and well-being.
Diet
As omnivores, tire track eels may be fed both meaty items and plant material. Their great predilection for live, fresh-frozen meals like prawns, brine shrimp, earthworms, and bloodworms is one of their best-kept secrets.
Eels from tire tracks also eat tiny fish and bug larvae. These freshwater eels occasionally eat plant materials as well. You could occasionally observe your tire track eels consuming aquarium plants and debris.
The majority of the food consumed by your tire track eel should be fresh, meaty, and alive, such as brine shrimp and worms. If you’d like, you may also teach your tire track eels to consume prepared food like krill or ocean plankton tablets or freeze-dried food like tubifex.
But you shouldn’t rely on manufactured meals too much because they might not appeal to your tire track eel.
How Often Should You Feed Your Tire Track Eel?
This species doesn’t need to eat frequently. Actually, they only require feeding a few times per week. Tire track eels are able to live for up to a week without eating, and some of them may even choose not to.
Therefore, it doesn’t matter how often you feed them—once a week or once every two weeks—either situation is OK!
Breeding Tire Track Eels
Because it is uncommon and poorly documented to breed this fish in captivity, the breeding procedure will be not clear enough. According to the breeding guide for spiny eels, increasing flood conditions may help to stimulate the process of breeding.
Additionally, the food quality should be ensured and fresh water should be provided to the tank during mating season.
Tire track eels court each other for hours, typically by chasing one another around the tank. Within four days of laying the eggs safely in the plants, the fry appears.
FAQs
Are tire track eels aggressive?
Track eels are noted for having a timid temperament and often only emerge at night to eat. If maintained with other track eels, some of them may develop violent or territorial behavior, therefore only keeping them with species that are too big for them to devour.
Do tire track eels need salt?
Tire Track Eels thrive in both freshwater and brackish environments, therefore if brackish conditions are needed, add 2 tablespoons of sea salt per 3 gallons of water.
Can Oscars and eels live together?
Ollie Fish (Astronotus Ocellatus) The Oscar Fish is a moderately difficult but very well-liked fish to serve with your fire eel. Just keep in mind that even with fellow Oscar fish, Oscar fish are quite territorial.
Final Thoughts
We can conclude some of the main points about tire track eel as follow:
- Tire track eels originated from Southeast Asia.
- The length of tire track eels can reach 26 inches.
- They have a life expectancy of 8 to 18 years.
- They are omnivores.
- They shouldn’t be kept in the same tank.
Tire track eels have a reputation for being challenging to care for, but for a seasoned aquarist, they can be a delight to preserve.
Tire track eels may be a lot of fun to keep if you know what they like to eat and keep them with the right fish.
