Spiny eel (Notacanthus chemnitzii)

Scientific name: Notacanthus chemnitzii Bloch, 1788

The Spiny eel (Notacanthus chemnitzii) is a marine fish of the family Notacanthidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 2–4°C (36–39°F).

Spiny eel care at a glance

Temperature: 2–4°C (36–39°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 2; Anal spines: 14 - 17; Anal soft rays: 125 - 145; Vertebrae: 225 - 239. Presence of palatine and dentary teeth in two or more rows. Numerous dorsal spines. Small specimens are pale tan or pale bluish gray, large specimens are dark brown.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Notacanthus chemnitzii
Family: Notacanthidae (Deep-sea spiny eels)
Order: Notacanthiformes (Halosaurs and deep-sea Spiny eels)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 120
Depth range: 125–3285 m (410–10778 ft)
Environment: Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 125 - 3285 m, usually 125 - 1000 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Worldwide except in tropical waters. North Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico and Cape Blanc, Mauritania north to Davis Strait, Canada and Iceland. South Atlantic: off South Africa. Southeast Pacific: off Chile. Eastern Indian Ocean: Australia. Southwest Pacific: New Zealand.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming tmax>10)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026