[Jaws]

Sure I don't mind. I'm always a little careful to post success stories with finicky fish on forums because it can sometimes lead to a bunch of people rushing out to try it and if it doesn't go as well then you're left with another dead animal.

I have always started by getting the thing to eat by offering one or two live feeder fish to start. Even though a diet of fresh water fish will not sustain for long term, it's good to start the process. If it won't eat live fish it's usually not going to eat frozen silversides. Then there's two major contributors that have led to my success:

One is to try and create a feeding frenzy with other fish in the tank (which would be difficult in my situation if this was going to be the only inhabitant). These animals have very bad eye sight so a feeding frenzy will sometimes entice them to strike something they normally wouldn't.

The second and main thing is to use a pair of those standard grey and black aquarium tongs that you use for grabbing things and mimic the behavior of another Eel. Keep the tongs open like an eels mouth, wave back and forth in the water like an eels head, and when a silverside is in close range for the sight and smell of the Eel, strike at it with the tongs mouth open. It's usually the striking that will entice the Eel to compete for the same food.

If you can get it to steal food from a striking pair of tongs then it doesn't take much time at all before it will accept silversides right from the tongs. All of the above requires consistent dedication in the beginning and it's never going to be 100% either. I find you have better luck with inexperienced black juveniles more than adults too.