Zig-zag eel
Mastacembelus armatus
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A spiny eel from South and Southeast Asia, from rivers and streams with sandy or rocky bottoms, where it stays near the bottom or buried. Nocturnal, it eats insect larvae and worms. It reaches 91 centimetres in the wild. It is important both as a food fish and in the aquarium trade.
- Scientific name
- Mastacembelus armatus
- Family
- Mastacembelidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Mastacembelidae
- Order
- Synbranchiformes
- Synonyms
- Macrognathus armatus, Macrognathus caudatus, Macrognathus hamiltoni, Macrognathus hamiltonii, Macrognathus undulatus, Mastacembelus armatus armatus, Mastacembelus manipurensis, Mastacembelus marmoratus, Mastacembelus ponticerianus
Origin
- Native region
- Ásia
Water
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 6–7
- General hardness (GH)
- 5–12 °dGH
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 91 cm
- Minimum tank (volume)
- 432 L
- Minimum tank (length)
- 120 cm
Behavior
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Social life
- School
- Swimming level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care
- Care difficulty
- Moderate
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
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