Eels in the Classroom - Frequently Asked Questions
How many eels will I receive?
You will receive up to 10 elvers (baby eels), pending availability due of natural fluctuation in eel migration numbers. These eels have been caught at dams during their migration up the Susquehanna River. Some were selected for EIC, most others were released above the dams to continue their journey.
What do elvers eat?
In the wild, elvers eat aquatic insects and small fish. In tanks they have been known to eat bloodworms, earthworms, live small fish, frozen beef liver, and macroinvertebrates collected from streams.
Student adding eels to aquarium
What supplies do I need to raise American eels?
- 10 gallon tank (minimum) with tight fitting lid
- Tap water is fine to use in the tank, as long as its sits out for 24 hours to dechlorinate.
- Tank filter
- Water treatment/testing kit
- Antibacterial tank treatment to have on hand, such as Melafix or “ick” treatment (found at PetCo or Amazon)
- Bubbler
- Substrate: rocks, gravel, plants, etc.
- Eel food
Aquarium in classroom
What if the eels die?
We understand all eels may not make it due to disease or potential cannibalism as their instincts develop with age. We ask you do your best and please update us on mortality numbers for tracking purposes. Any deceased eels may be preserved as a specimen for your classroom if you wish.
Students at fisheries station
Will they reproduce? How big will elvers get?
The eels are not sexually mature at this stage so they will not reproduce. Elvers may be ~3-4 inches when they arrive and may grow up to 6 inches, and growth depends on many factors including the unknown age of each elver and diet. In the past, some larger elvers that were fed live macros during the school year grew up to 12 inches in length!
Eels measurement