Red-striped fire eel - Mastacembelus erythrotaenia

Mastacembelus erythrotaenia, the fire spiny eel or red stripe spiny eel is with up to one meter final size, the largest known representative of the spiny eels and has its natural distribution area in southeastern Asia. Known localities are in countries from Thailand to Cambodia, as well as Indonesia where it is mainly found in rivers with moderate currents and the weedy floodplains of the same. Due to overfishing in the countries of origin, as the fire eel is definitely on the menu of the locals in its country of origin, the natural populations have now declined sharply and the fish has become relatively rare.

Like many other spiny eels, the fire eel has a typical eel body shape, but it is rather slender and not circular as in the European eel, and overall more streamlined. The basic color of the fire - spiny eel is a rather dark brown to black tone, which is covered by four red to golden lines from the head to the belly. These lines divide to the tail end into irregular net patterns and points, which gives the fire - spiny eel an extremely interesting appearance and makes it probably the most colorful representative of the so far known spiny eels. In the wild, the fire eel's menu consists mainly of worms, insect larvae and smaller fish.

Reproduction is possible in very soft water. The eggs are laid on plants, preferably in mosses. Depending on the environment the larvae develop within 7-9 days and can be fine live food be grown up.

Due to the final size of the animals, which can be up to 100 cm in the wild, and  even in the aquarium at least 50 - 60 cm, only larger tanks from 1.50 m edge length are recommended, for adult animals rather 2.50 m, which should be furnished varied and with sufficient hiding places. Too coarse gravel should also not be present, since spiny eels sometimes like to burrow in and coarse pebbles would hinder this intention. Therefore a fine gravel is suitable as substrate Sand. Floating plants and stem or tuberous plants that reach the surface of the water, such as Tiger lotus, create shady areas that are beneficial to the animals. A dense underwater vegetation in the form of plants in places, which nevertheless allows sufficient swimming space, serves the well-being.

A socialization of the spiny eels would be in sufficiently large aquariums with, for example, larger, peaceful cichlids or tetras as well as diverse Catfish possible. Smaller fish may well be considered food by the spiny eels and disappear. It would also be important that a spiny eel aquarium is really tightly covered, otherwise it can happen that the animals escape. They are true escape artists and will take advantage of any small gap.

Feeding in the aquarium is sensibly done mainly with live food such as worms, small Shrimps etc., although most animals will also readily accept frozen food over time. Here would be suitable frozen food varieties especially red and white Mosquito larvae, as these are very similar to the natural food. Since the animals are rather nocturnal, you should feed as late as possible and/or very early, so that the animals, especially in community tanks, also get enough food.

Our plant recommendation: Use for the 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.