Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus)

Scientific name: Monopterus albus Zuiew, 1793

The Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) is a freshwater fish of the family Synbranchidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 25–28°C (77–82°F). Native range: Asia, India to China, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Probably occurring in Bangladesh.

Asian swamp eel care at a glance

Temperature: 25–28°C (77–82°F)

Biology

Anguilliform body; no scales; no pectoral and pelvic fins; dorsal, caudal and anal fins confluent and reduced to a skin fold; gill openings merged into single slit underneath the head. Rice paddy eels are red to brown with a sprinkling of dark flecks across their backs; large mouths and small eyes.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Monopterus albus
Family: Synbranchidae (Swamp-eels)
Order: Synbranchiformes (Spiny eels)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Common length: 40.0
Depth range: 3 m (10 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous; depth range 3 - ? m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: India to China, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Probably occurring in Bangladesh.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 1,000)