Jac

Thanks for both your replies - very much appreciated. I will try the mussels to see if Eric will eat them - not sure how I will cope with them (I am vegeterian and even giving him the live food is a bit revolting) but will give it a go. I have tried him on earthworms but found that they disappeared under the gravel before he got them - I was worried then that they would die and decompose under the stones. I don't think I could cut up the worms first as someone once suggested to me! I don't think I could feed him hearts or anything like that either. How big a tank do you have Jake in now that he is three foot long? I would like to let Eric get as big as possible and are prepared to get him a bigger tank. Thanks, Jacki

Hi there, just wondered if anyone had any advise re a fire eel. I have had him for over a year now and he is just over a foot long. He is a very fussy eater prefering to only eat mealworms and the occasional waxmoth when he is hungry enough and I have run out of mealworms. He does not appear to eat frozen bloodworms. Would also like to know how you handle the planting of the tank - I have given up on any plants in the gravel or pots as he keeps disturbing them. The only plants I have are those that grow out of wood. I would love to be able to have the tank looking better. For all the problems he causes I wouldn't be without him - he has real personality!! Thanks, Jac

Have only just read this but in defence of Animates in Christchurch, I go to both stores but particularly the Papanui one. Unlike what an earlier post said, they have several staff at least including one in particular that is very knowlegable about tropical fish. Unlike fish I have bought from other stores Animates fish seem to be survivors. I have a fire eel which is over a foot long now which I got from the Papanui store - the staff member who sold him to me still asks after him - I also don't find the staff pushing me to buy stuff either. I will have a look at the other ChCh stores mentioned earlier too. Cheers, Jac