eels

[uncdub13]

I'm tryin to keep a mess of eels alive for maybe a week. I know they're tough as hell and dont take much, but was wondering the best way to keep them healthy for longer periods of time. Thought about maybe just a bucket of saltwater. Any suggestions?

[basstardo]

Bucket of water, fresh or salt will work. I kept some in a half-full 5 gallon bucket for about 4 days. They could have gone longer. With the temps being chilly outside, leave the bucket outside and the cold will slow them down enough to where they use very little oxygen.

[Fishbreath]

You can try the bucket but you will have to keep them airated (spelling?), keep oxygen in the water. Change the water VERY regularly and keep oxygenated. Them snotty snakes suck up the oxygen very fast and thus die off if you're not on top of it.

[basstardo]

I didn't aerate and they lived. Maybe it was just cold enough. Worked well for me.:confused:

[uncdub13]

sounds good, thanks for the replies.

[Outrigger]

I just fished with a handful of slimy eels the other week and kept them alive and kicking with an aerated livewell. I lost two good strikes due to my absent-mindedness and/or acknowledged incompetency:redface:. You can also do this on the cheap with a battery operated/plug-in aerator buyable at sporting goods stores such as Dicks/Bass Pro/Cabelas or maybe even Walmart. It clips onto the side of the bucket and has an airstone attached via a tube that disperses an oxygenating stream of life-giving bubbles. Cold H2O absorbs O2 more readily than warmer water so this may work in your favor. Your biggest enemy is ammonia buildup from waste. I only kept my eels one day from 7a.m. til 10p.m but they sure were spunky the whole time. Here's some useful info about aeration.

http://www.fishing-boating.com/articles/guide.htm