I guess I never thought of that as being the problem that would crop up. After all the years of the fish not being close to the bottom, I figured that would be your problem more than something like this.

Eels don't swim per se, like a fish. Of course the size of an aquarium causes some of this problem, but when Harvey moved it was more like a snake in some ways. He pushed himself off of the bottom to get forward movement going and then sort of "undulated" to keep that movement going. But it was of course always for short distances, and then he sank back to the bottom. When he came up to take food from me part of him was always in contact with the bottom except for short bursts, then when he got larger and longer he usually just raised himself up to stick his head near the surface to grab food.

As he comes out of the cave slightly, I figured the problem was going to be the overall movement if he isn't on the bottom. Just what is he supposed to be "hanging on to"?

Maybe a short trip to your local aquarium store to watch one would help.............

Since the majority of the body is hidden in the cave, the problem of what he is hanging on to doesn't really arise. You just assume his belly is on the floor somewhere back there. But the fact that he's so close to the ground does bring up the question of shadows, and I plan to handle that the same way I do for the clams, with a transparent moveable mask.

Hi Jim
So happy to hear that Harvey will soon make his appearance in the aquarium. Last year I was snorkelling in Cuba and was warned not to be too agressive around Morays (saw 2 of them) Can I assume that Harvey will be on a perpetual diet or be perhaps be classified as a Vegan Moray?
Thanks
Jim Harris

Michael says that this type plays well with others, and is suitable for aquarium use (it has no teeth).

The Eel looks fantastic.

I too would like to add a "Are we nearly there yet?" to this thread! :-)


Anyway, great work and can't wait to adopt him into my tank!

Neil

Any updates on Harvey, Jim?

Working...

This is great news :) I can't wait.

Absolutely can't wait for a beta version with Harvey!

The "breathing" animation is looking pretty good, but I'm still having a hard time with the bending of the neck.

Just take your hand and twist..................... hahahahaha

But then Jim will have to name him Igor instead of Harvey.

Oooops. We don't want that.

That's pronounced Eye-gor.

Blucher.

Frau Blucher whinny, neigh.

You know you lot are crazy, right?

We are going Stir Crazy waiting for Harvey.

;)

Yes we are. That's what makes us a great Family. :loco:

What's the latest on Harvey, Jim?

Harvey's invisible..... don't you remember?... ;) .... He doesn't exist!

Making a bit of progress each night.

Any ideas when we'll get to try out a beta of Harvey?

Not yet.

Come - 'tis Spring and there are garden things to do, walks to take and grandchildren to look after. Computers and eels will have to wait a (little) while.
Andy

Family issues have been taking precedence for the past couple of weeks, but I do manage to get some progress done most nights. The eel is able to poke his head out of the cave and back in, and the "breathing" cycle is working pretty well. The bending of the neck is the only obstacle left.

You could put a neck brace on Harvey so he couldn't bend his neck. He can then claim whip-splash and collect insurance clams. But then that would be eelegal wouldn't it?
:D

*groooaaaaann* Aw man, that was bad. Reelly terrible.

Jim, r u gonna put some more rocks next to the cave wall where the eel pokes his head out from? As you know, and as depicted by the picture I posted on my "dive", they like tight spaces. Also it would cut down on the amount of the body showing and might save you a little work.

Roger

No, that would add even more work. The eel is actually done, except for bending the neck.

I say give Harvey some teeth, real nasty ones, then put a metal collar around his neck with a chain connecting him to the back of the cave.

What? :confused: I'm not crazy, honest.


When you guys were kids didn't you dream of having a real life sea monster in your very own aquarium??? :D

Actually, that's how I came to have a lungfish later in life. Since they are considered to be "living fossils" of a sort, it's as close to the real thing as I could ever hope for. If Coelacanth were legal to own and didn't die in captivity like they do, I'd be all over a custom 200+ gallon tank all decked out with prehistoric rocks, plants, etc.

See the Doctor Who episode where we get the first full Matt Smith episode where we meet Amy Pond and her polymorph alien houseguest. That the sort of thing you're thinking of, Steve? ;)

Ah yes, I recall that episode. :) Sure, that beastie would in fact look quite nice in the aquarium. lol

Reminds me of Brine shrimp "sea monsters".

grrr... fix the fish

Well????????????

Sorry, guys - my mother and stepfather had some serious heath issues come up, and I've been in California handling those. Harvey will just have to wait a little longer.

Oh God. I hope they will be ok. Our prayers go out to you and them.

Best wishes Jim, and I hope everything gets better for all involved.