Hey, I've been thinking about buying a BGK or a Fire eel for quite a while and I just can't seem to decide which one to get. I'm interested in your opinions and what's the minimum tank size for each? Which one is funner to own/watch? Which gets along better with other species? Which is easier to care for?

BOTH GREAT FISH

I have both and I've had them for a couple of years each without a problem. BGK dead easy to keep, no aggression issues and they eat perfectly and probably too much

Fire Eel obviously will grow bigger and more dificult to feed sometimes. I've had one in past that eat straight away no problem but alas got out of tank and died so watch for gaps in lid. The one I have now took a bit of coaxing to feed but no issues now

Have had both, and have to say that fire eels just edge it for me.
Both can be very fussy feeders, but when you know what they like their easy to look after.
my fire eels have been easier to get hand feeding than almost all of the BGKs i've had (apart from a tiny baby one that came straight up!)

kind of depends on the size of your tank too, as a fire eel will get alot larger than a BGK and are faster growing too.

if you've got the space i'd get both!!!!!

I havn't kept either but fire eel for me, having seen both for quite some time at a LFS, the fire eels friendlyness takes it for me.

I must admit, this one is easy for me, even though I have kept both previously, I still have a fire eel...22" thereof.

I have not had issues with him feeding, although he does only seem to eat prawns, and bloodworms, not flake.

Seeing him coming out of my artificial corel, is amazing, he is a monster....a gentle one, he never bothers any other fish in tank.

Here is a vid of my tank, he comes up for feeding some where in the middle of the vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLGa8d9L1SY

Assuming you have a HUGE tank then either will become hand tame given the correct motivation. Fire Eel 180gall tank minimum, BGK anything with a depth from front to back of more than 20" and a good 4ft plus in length would hold one for life.

Both have plus and minus for tank mates, the Eel will do better with no other bottom dwellers and the BGK will do better with large placid company over nippy fish. Both fish will be shy and mostly nocturnal for a while until they feel secure.

Wow, thanks everyone for your input.

8inary, I saw the video of your tank yesterday it is very impressive. I gotta say, I'm jealous =P

Even though I've been dying to have a fire eel for years now, I know that I don't have the space to keep it for its whole life. I think the BGK is a better choice for me, so once I go out and buy one I'll be sure to post some pictures and news about it.

Thanks again, guys =D

Just remember even the BGK can and will grow to 20" +