Tire Track Eel help

[ucf23]

I've had a tire track eel for about 2 months now, but I never see him. I have checked the filter multiple times as my other species of fish in my tank have gotten in there within that time as well but he is never there. I have also extensively searched every nook and cranny around the floor and room the tank is in and haven't found him. Is it a viable assumption to think he is just burrowed in the tank bottom and being reclusive? I have one small hide in the tank I have checked several times as well and moved around that he isn't in either...

 

[Colin_T]

Most small freshwater eels bury themselves in the substrate during the day and come out at night. Put a bit of frozen bloodworms or something else in the tank about an hour after lights out and see if it comes out. You can use a small torch to look for it at night too.