Zig-zag eel (Mastacembelus armatus)

Scientific name: Mastacembelus armatus Lacep?de, 1800

Zig-zag eel (Mastacembelus armatus)

The Zig-zag eel (Mastacembelus armatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mastacembelidae that grows to about 38 cm (15 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 475 L (125 US gal), water at 22–27°C (72–81°F) and a pH of 6.5–7.5. Native range: Asia, Pakistan to Viet Nam and Indonesia.

Zig-zag eel care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Community tank
Good
Adult size
38 cm (15 in)
Minimum tank
475 L (125 US gal)
Temperature
22–27°C (72–81°F)
pH
6.5–7.5
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 33 - 40; Dorsal soft rays: 67-82; Anal soft rays: 67 - 83; Vertebrae: 87 - 98. Body dull brown with 1-3 darker, longitudinal zigzag lines, more or less connected to form a reticulated pattern, more or less distinct and restricted to the dorsal two thirds of the body.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Mastacembelus armatus
Family
Mastacembelidae (Spiny eels)
Order
Synbranchiformes (Spiny eels)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
90.0
Environment
Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 15 demersal; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Pakistan to Viet Nam and Indonesia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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