Python spiny eel - Mastacembelus armatus

The nocturnal Mastacembelus armatus, the python spiny eel, marble spiny eel or giant spiny eel, is a very large representative of the spiny eel family with a final size of up to 90 cm in nature and 50 to 75 cm in the aquarium. Its natural range is in South Asia and Southeast Asia, where it is found in India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Sumatra and Thailand. The python spiny eel prefers stagnant and flowing waters with slow to fast currents with sandy and rocky bottoms and dense plant cover. The giant spiny eel also periodically visits floodplains or marshes in the wild. In its native country, the python spiny eel serves as a food fish.

As the name suggests, the body shape of the python spiny eel is reminiscent of an eel - the body is very long and comparatively slender. The giant spiny eel is laterally flattened and appears very streamlined - an adaptation to the sometimes current-rich habitats it inhabits in nature. The base color of the python spiny eel is dark brown to black, and the light brown to yellow-brown pattern has something of the reticulated to dotted pattern of a python snake. The dorsal fin is fused to the caudal fin and anal fin. A proboscis-like process is seen on the upper lip of the giant spiny eel , which the fish uses to seek its food.

In natural biotopes, giant spiny eels eat worms, insect larvae and smaller fish. Feeding in the aquarium should be based on the natural diet of the carnivore and consist mainly of live food such as worms, small shrimp, insect larvae and other small crustaceans. The spiny eels will also accept frozen food after a short period of acclimation. Especially red and white mosquito larvae, krill, artemia, fish meat and tubifex are suitable here. The feeding time should be set very late or very early, because python spiny eels are nocturnal and do not really get anything from the food during the day, especially in the community tank. Quickly, marble spiny eels recognize their keeper and come out at feeding time.

The aquarium for a group of up to five python spiny eels should have a thicker layer of fine sand or rounded gravel at the bottom, where the fish like to burrow. The aquarium must be covered with absolutely no gaps, because the curious marble spiny eels will slip through any gaps. In addition, the tank must offer many varied hiding places for the python spiny eels. Clay tubes or hiding places built from roots as well as stone crevices are very suitable here. The aquarium can be planted, but should still offer enough swimming space and room for digging. Especially floating plants, perching plants like java fern and large-leaved robust aquarium plants provide enough cover for the python spiny eel, so that the aquarium fish feel comfortable. Because the giant spiny eels grow very large, the aquarium should also be sufficiently dimensioned: at least 150 cm for young giant spiny eels, 200 cm would be better. There is no upper limit.

Giant spiny eels prefer soft to medium hard water with a GH up to 15, a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and a water temperature of 22 to 28 °C.

Socialization of python spiny eels with other large fish is possible - fish or shrimp that are too small will be eaten. Large peaceful cichlids, knifefish, large gouramis or large tetras are suitable aquarium companions for the giant spiny eel. With good structure, Mastacembelus armatus can be kept in a small group, but single keeping is also very possible. With other species from the group of spiny eels it can come to serious friction.

So far nothing is known about reproduction of the Marbled Spiny Eel in the aquarium, although Mastacembelus armatus is a very reproductive fish in nature.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.