[Tropicalfish1665]

I have a large tank of tropical fish, I have a spiny eel which I got around 6 months ago, a couple of weeks ago I bought a fire eel - who is very shy still. However I noticed today it has a very round lump in its tummy, its impossible to miss, I cant say how long its been this way as its always hidden.

I don't know a huge amount about eels, but what I want to know is, Would it have bred with the spiny eel? how long are they pregnant for? is it even pregnant? what shall I do to help? should I change its diet? or keep it separate to avoid its young getting eaten?

Any advice would be helpful! I can add pictures if need be.

Thanks in advance

 

[mistergreen]

pictures would be good. A round lump doesn't sound good. Fish should look full & rounded, not a lump.

 

[PlantedRich]

I did a quick check on breeding fire eels and turned up this on one site. Not necessarily total truth but at least some indication?

Breeding: Breeding of Fire Eels has been achieved before, but due to large adult size, a tank size of several hundred gallons is needed, and it is usually only achieved by advanced breeders or extremely dedicated hobbyists.


This would lead me to believe the lump is more likely to be a problem rather than breeding. Never had breeding success with any eels but this is just what I read?

 

[AquaAurora]

I'd take a head count of your other fish.. someone might be that lump (dinner), and hope lump is a mis-use of word and more to say full/fat/bulging...

 

[Tropicalfish1665]

Thank for all your help guys. As far as I can tell it hasn't eaten anyone! But I do have a few guppies!!

Bump:

 

[Betta132]

Fish ready to breed seldom have rounded lumps on them- they just have a fat belly.
No small fish has a gestation period 6 months or longer, so it can't have been pregnant when bought, and nothing other than a spiny eel is going to breed with a spiny eel.

We need pictures. It's probably sick rather than pregnant.