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Aquatic Caecilian

Typhlonectes natans · also called Rubber eel, Black caecilian

IntermediateFamily Typhlonectidae

Not an eel and not a snake — a limbless amphibian for the planted aquarium.

⚠️ Before anything else: Often mislabelled "rubber eel" in fish stores — an amphibian, not a fish.

✅ We have a full, fact-checked care sheet for the Aquatic Caecilian.

Open the Aquatic Caecilian care sheet →

📋 At a glance

Tank
Aquatic 20 gal+ (1–2), planted, tight lid
Temp
Warm 72–79°F
Water
Dechlorinated, gentle filter, soft sand
Food
Bloodworms, chopped earthworms, sinking foods
Lifespan
5–10+ years

✅ Peaceful, hardy and genuinely bizarre — a rewarding oddity for a gentle planted tank.

🛒 Before you buy

  • A warm, filtered, planted aquarium with a TIGHT lid (they escape)
  • Soft sand + plenty of hides
  • Gentle flow + target feeding (they hunt by smell, not sight)
  • The knowledge it is an amphibian that breathes air — not a fish

A healthy one: Dark, glossy, worm-like body · well-fleshed · smooth skin · actively nosing the substrate.

🚨 See a vet / act now if…

  • Not eating / weight loss
  • Skin lesions, fungus or cloudiness
  • Floating or bloating
  • Gasping

⛔ Never

  • Treating it like a fish (it needs surface access to breathe air)
  • Gravel
  • An open-topped tank

Common aquatic caecilian questions

How hard are Aquatic Caecilians to keep — are they good for beginners?

Intermediate. Not an eel and not a snake — a limbless amphibian, often mislabelled 'rubber eel'.

What do Aquatic Caecilians eat?

Bloodworms, chopped earthworms, sinking foods

What size tank do Aquatic Caecilians need?

Aquatic 20 gal+ (1–2), planted, tight lid

What temperature do Aquatic Caecilians need?

Warm 72–79°F

What water setup do Aquatic Caecilians need?

Dechlorinated, gentle filter, soft sand

How long do Aquatic Caecilians live?

5–10+ years

What are the signs Aquatic Caecilians are sick?

See an exotics vet if you notice: Not eating / weight loss; Skin lesions, fungus or cloudiness; Floating or bloating; Gasping.

Free tools for the aquatic caecilian

Calm, honest help — each one knows when to say "see a vet."

Symptom checkerTriage a worrying sign and know when to see a vet.Aquatic setup plannerTank, water, filtration & drowning-prevention.Water interpreterMake sense of your water-test numbers.Common questionsReal questions keepers ask — answered straight.

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