Eel with Swimming Problems Was Saved by a Woman Who Became His Foster Mom

Rather than adopting dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and fish, some people have more of an interest in exotic animals. Those people are much more interested in the mysterious lives of animals such as spiders, snakes, scorpions, and eels. There are guidelines on adequately caring for exotic pets, and it is best to research their diet, preferred habitat, lifespan, and lifestyle before deciding to keep one. Those animals are unlike common pets, which you can leave unattended at home or with kids.

Photo: Youtube/The Dodo

Eels are exotic pets that seem scary. But it does not mean they do not deserve to have a loving home with a caring human if they’re unable to live in the wild.

Heather knew that the eel she met in the pet store was entitled to be someplace else. Heather was determined to give the eel a comfortable space after she rescued it from swimming upside down. The eel was clearly struggling, and Heather took the initiative — which led her to the decision to foster Lazarus.

Photo: Youtube/The Dodo

“I didn’t really know anything about eels. I’ve had freshwater tanks, like, my entire life. Eels are like a whole different level. So I did as much research as I could,” Heather shared. “I was learning a lot, like the eel needs a very specific type of water. I just set up a saltwater tank. I immediately start mixing my tanks to try and match the salinity Lazarus needs.”

Although Heather had already transferred Lazarus to his new aquarium, she noticed that the eel was still lazily swimming upside down. She kept checking up on him until, after 48 hours, Lazarus finally swam normally. Heather wanted to make Lazarus’s stay fun, so she added items to his aquarium. A mushroom house was his favorite, where he swirled around and peeked out the small window.

Photo: Youtube/The Dodo

Heather was also able to figure out what food Lazarus would enjoy. At first, she tried to feed him shrimp, but it was to no avail. Nothing stimulated the eel’s appetite from a live shrimp to thawed-out frozen shrimp. Then Heather changed Lazarus’s meals to squid; thankfully, it worked! After four days, Heather saw Lazarus happily eating the squid she fed him. It was apparent how happy he was after his foster mom finally found his favorite meal.

Photo: Youtube/The Dodo

Heather and Lazarus have built a fantastic friendship even though a potential family will be adopting the eel in the future. “I decided to foster instead of adopt him myself because I’m up to my gills in tanks, and I have no more room.” Heather explained. “Lazarus gets the opportunity to live out his full life, and that’s what every animal deserves, truly. I’m gonna make sure that he goes to a perfect home that knows exactly what they’re doing.”

Indeed, the eel that once had a swimming problem needs a home dedicated to caring for their pets. A love expressed by doing research to properly care for him and give him the best life, the way he lived with his foster mom.