eel

n. snakelike fish

True eels (Anguilliformes) are an order of fish, which consists of 4 suborders, 19 families, 110 genera and 400 species. Most eels are predators.The flat and transparent larva of the eel is called a leptocephalus. A young eel is called an elver.Most eels prefer to dwell in shallow waters or hide at the bottom layer of the ocean, sometimes in holes. These holes are called eel pits. Only the Anguillidae family comes to fresh water to dwell there (not to breed). Some eels dwell in deep water (in case of family Synaphobranchidae, this comes to a depth of 4,000 m), or are active swimmers (the family  Nemichthyidae - to the depth of 500 m).
See more at Wikipedia.org...

"Eel" or "eels" may refer to:BiologyEel, a common name for members of the order of fish Anguilliformes.Electric Eel, another species of fish (not a member of the Anguilliformes).Deep-Sea Spiny Eels, a common name for the family Notacanthidae and its members.Spiny Eel, Tiretrack Eel, and Fire Eel are common fish from the family Mastacembelidae.Congo eel, amphibians of the genus Amphiuma.Two-Legged Eel or Mud Eel are common names of Siren intermedia, an eel-like amphibian.Rubber eel, a common name for aquatic caecilians of family Typhlonectidae.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Noun
1. the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in Europe and America; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
(hypernym) fish
(hyponym) elver
(part-holonym) common eel, freshwater eel
2. voracious snakelike marine or freshwater fishes with smooth slimy usually scaleless skin and having a continuous vertical fin but no ventral fins
(hypernym) soft-finned fish, malacopterygian
(hyponym) elver
(member-holonym) Anguilliformes, order Anguilliformes, order Apodes

(n.)
An elongated fish of many genera and species. The common eels of Europe and America belong to the genus Anguilla. The electrical eel is a species of Gymnotus. The so called vinegar eel is a minute nematode worm. See Conger eel, Electric eel, and Gymnotus.
  

Common Name
Peacock Eel
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Macrognathus siamensis
Family
Mastacembelidae
Community
General
Class
Eels
Temperature
78ºF
Swimming Range
Bottom
Adult Length
9 inches
Feeding Habits
Prefers small live foods such as crustaceans, earthworms, fish, crickets, mealworms, blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen blood worms, brine shrimp, beef heart, plankton and glass worms are also accepted.
Compatibility
Peaceful with the same sized fish, but will eat smaller fish.
Habitat
Thailand: Decorate heavily with rocks, driftwood and live plants.
Breeding
Unknown
Additional Comments
Do to their adult length these are the best eels for a community aquarium. Small lobsters, crayfish, shrimp and crabs are not recommended for tankmates as they will be eaten by the eel.

Common Name
Rubber Eel
Other Common Names
Caecilian Worm, Black Worm
Scientific Name
Typhlonectes natans
Family
Caeciliidae
Community
General
Class
Eels
Temperature
78ºF
Swimming Range
Bottom
Adult Length
24 inches
Feeding Habits
Live glass worms, brine shrimp, blood worms and tubifex worms. Frozen blood worms, plankton, beef heart, glass worms and brine shrimp. Freeze dried plankton, blood worms and tubifex worms.
Compatibility
A peaceful fish that will group with their own kind. Rubber Eels will not bother the other fish in the tank; should not be mixed with crustaceans. Crustaceans will pick on the eels causing wounds that are difficult to heal.
Habitat
Columbia: Moderately decorate with live potted plants, rocks and driftwood.
Breeding
Livebearers that have between 10 and 20 babies at a time.
Additional Comments
Their are many different types of Caecilian Worms that range from moist environment to totally aquatic. The Rubber Eel is an aquatic species and a great escape artist. Keep the tank covered as they can not live outside the water for very long. When the Rubber Eel sheds their skin it comes off in white stringy pieces. This is a normal growing process that many beginning hobbyists confuse with a body fungus. Their eyesight is very poor and they search for their food by smell.

Common Name
Tiretrack Eel
Other Common Names
--
Scientific Name
Mastacembelus armatus
Family
Mastacembelidae
Community
Semi-Aggressive
Class
Eels
Temperature
78 ºF
Swimming Range
Bottom
Adult Length
29-31 inches
Feeding Habits
Small live foods such as, crustaceans, brine shrimp, blood worms, glass worms, tubifex worms and fish. Frozen brine shrimp, blood worms, daphnia, glass worms and plankton.
Compatibility
A predator that is very aggressive with their own kind and other eels. Keep with larger fish as they will stalk smaller community fish.
Habitat
Thailand: Heavily planted aquarium with live plants, rock piles, clay flower pots and caves for hiding.
Breeding
Unknown.
Additional Comments
Likes to burrow and will hide for days at a time. Use floating plants to cut down on light and the eels will be seen a little more frequently.