If it makes you feel any better, you can set up an empty aquarium with rock and some zoos and have the same experience I'm having right about now.
I'm hoping in time he'll get more comfortable and allow himself to be seen. Man they are not kidding when they say this eel is reclusive. I have to look for a minimum of 30 minutes at a time before I find where he's hiding. Basically in 5 days so far I've been able to see him maybe about 10-15 minutes in total, and that includes trying to dangle food in front of his hidey holes (when I can at least see his head or face) in the hopes of witnessing him at least eat something, but no such luck.
Dunno maybe this is commonplace for eels, never had one before. Not sure what I'm thinking of this purchase though right about now.