Peacock eel with red spots

Question
QUESTION: My Peacock eel, which I have had for about 3 weeks now. He has developed red spots on his sides and he has red marks around his gills and jaw. He is in a 55 gallon tank with a large gourami, a clown loach, A small plecostomus, and a small Cat fish (i don't know what kind) they all get along well. I have been adding frozen blood worms for the daily feeding but have only seen the eel eat 3 times. He does not seem to be in distress and swims around the tank, playing in the bubbles from the airstones I have in the back. PH of tank holds around 7.2 and I check it when ever I add water. We really like the eel and hope we can make him better. I just don't want to toss anything in there that might effect the other fish.

ANSWER: Hi Scott
Do you have a kit to test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?  Those are bit more important to be checking for regularly then the ph.  

What kind of substrate do you have in the tank?  Eels like to dig in the substrate for food and to hang out or hide in.  Sand substrates are the best for these guys.  It's common for them to get scratched up in gravel, which can lead to bacterial & fungal infections.  Since eels are scaleless, they're more prone to those types of problems.  And, you have to be careful what meds you use, because they can be sensitive to them.  Usually a using a med that says it's safe for scaleless fish is safe to use with them.  Same goes for the clown loach, pleco, and probably the catfish as well.

What kind of decoration are in the tank?  Anything sharp or something he could be easily injured on?  If so, remove them.  Again, they like to hide, and can easily injure themselves.

It's also possible since you've only had him a few weeks, he was sick from the store.    Are the red spots under the skin, or are they open sores/ulcers?

Christy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Unfortunately he was floating in the cave when I arrived home this evening. Should I do anything to the tank other than check  the levels? and adjust if needed?

the sores were raised bumps. Medium sized gravel. And he did like to bury himself. but he didn't have any obvious scratches.

Thanks for your help. I'm going to do a little more research on the eels and make some adjustments to the tank and try again. They are such cool critters.

Can I split the tank with different substrates? like sand or small gravel on one side and the larger on the other?  

Answer
Hi Scott
Sorry he didn't make it.  It's possible he was sick before you bought him.  I just found this link, it's in reference to a salt water moray eel, but read the last paragraph called Troubleshooting:

http://members.fortunecity.com/midmissouricoralreefexchange/marinefish/Family.Mu.(moray.eels).html

Just thought it was interesting with the bumps being an internal parasite, and also the one about fiberglass ornaments.  Granted, saltwater parasites would be different then freshwater ones, but still a possibility.  Before buying the next one, ask the store if they know if the eels are wild caught.  I'm not an expert on eels, I had one years ago that went MIA on me when I moved.  But I remember at this one pet store that always had "exotic" and different fish for sale, their eels were always coming down with infections, particularly fungal infections.  So I was always hesitant about spending the money on them.  But when a fish is wild caught, they're more likely going to have internal problems-bacterial or parasites, and be more easily stressed from being moved around and such.  Anyway, I would get yourself a 10 gallon tank set up, and quarantine the new fish in there for at least 2 weeks.  I would then try to feed it some medicated food during that time.   

I don't see why you can't split the substrate in the tank.  I would go with sand to be on the safe side.  The eel will most likely prefer the sandy area, just be sure to put a cave on that side.  Should like neat :) They are neat looking critters.  The only problem I had with mine, I never saw him, and to feed him I had to lift the tank ornament and put the food in there.  I've been thinking about another one, maybe this time a tank all to itself would make it more active....well good luck!  And let me know if you have more questions.

Christy