Amphibians
Rubber eel (caecilian) care guide
Typhlonectes natans
An aquatic legless amphibian (not an eel) that burrows in soft substrate and hides by day. It's a secretive, long-lived escape artist.
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first
Rubber eel (caecilian) enclosure size
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first. An adult rubber eel (caecilian) should live in at least 30" L × 12" W × 12" H; we build toward 36" L × 18" W × 16" H (3 × 1.5 × 1.3 ft, roughly 4.5 sq ft of floor and about a 45-gallon glass equivalent).
Adults reach about 20 in.
- Hatchling / baby
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 20" L × 10" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 30" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 36" L × 18" W × 16" H recommended · min 30" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
Guarded aquarium heater on a thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- None
- Warm side (ambient)
- Water 75–80°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- Water 72–75°F
- Night
- Same as day
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Not required; dim light. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target Fully aquatic. Clean water, pH 6.5–7.5; ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20 ppm.
Substrate and depth
Soft fine sand for burrowing. Depth: 2 in.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- 10–12 in
- Filtration
- Cycled low-flow filter with covered intake
- Basking dock
- None needed
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- PVC or clay tube hides
- Plants
- Sealed lid
Build list
- Liquid water test kit — Log ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH weekly.
- Sponge filter — Gentle flow that won't batter small aquatic amphibians.
- Water conditioner / RO water — Chlorine and chloramine burn permeable skin.
Rubber eel (caecilian) FAQ
How big should an adult Rubber eel (caecilian) enclosure be?
At least 30" L × 12" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 36" L × 18" W × 16" H — about 3 × 1.5 × 1.3 ft, or a 45-gallon glass equivalent. Aquatic — water volume and floor area first.
What temperatures does a Rubber eel (caecilian) need?
Basking or warm surface None, warm side Water 75–80°F, cool side Water 72–75°F, night Same as day. Guarded aquarium heater on a thermostat.
Does a Rubber eel (caecilian) need UVB?
Not required; dim light. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Rubber eel (caecilian) need?
Fully aquatic. Clean water, pH 6.5–7.5; ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20 ppm.
What substrate is best for a Rubber eel (caecilian)?
Soft fine sand for burrowing, at a depth of 2 in.
How big does a Rubber eel (caecilian) enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 20" L × 10" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Is there anything to be careful about when keeping a Rubber eel (caecilian)?
Escapes through tiny gaps — seal the lid and any cable holes. Skin secretions can harm tank mates.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own rubber eel (caecilian) record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.