Rubber Eel Typhlonectes natans

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.