Mastacembelus Armatus

Datasheet

General Description

The Tyre-Track Eel, also known as the white-spotted spiny eel, belongs to the Mastacembelus Armatus species of the Mastacembelidae family within the Synbranchiformes category. These eels are part of the spiny eel family, characterized by spines along their back. They are commonly found in tropical regions of Asia, particularly in India, Thailand, and Sumatra. The species can grow up to 91.0 cm in size.

Aquarium Setup

When setting up an aquarium for Tyre-Track Eels, it is essential to provide a well-planted tank with floating plants for cover. The setup should include multiple hiding spots like bogwood, rock caves, and PVC piping, as these eels prefer to hide during the day. They also favor sand substrate for burrowing. Dim lighting encourages them to explore more. A tight-fitting hood is necessary to prevent their escape, and gentle water flow is ideal since they typically inhabit still waters. Maintaining mildly brackish water conditions with a pH range of 6.0-7.0, hardness of 5-12 dH, and a temperature between 24-28°C is recommended.

Behaviour

Tyre-Track Eels are generally peaceful community fish, but caution must be taken when selecting tankmates. They are known to prey on smaller fish in the wild, so companions should be too large to be considered prey. It is advisable to keep only one eel per tank as they may exhibit aggression towards conspecifics. However, aggression can sometimes be mitigated by keeping them in groups of five or more individuals.

Feeding and Diet

These eels have a carnivorous diet, preferring meaty foods such as prawns, krill, and lancefish. Live and frozen foods can be offered, but they might not provide sufficient nutrition for larger specimens. While some Tyre-Track Eels may accept vegetable matter, this behavior is rare.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

There are no documented reports of breeding Tyre-Track Eels in captivity. However, female eels may appear fuller-bodied during breeding conditions, indicating potential sexual dimorphism.

Habitat and Distribution

In their natural habitat, Tyre-Track Eels are found in freshwater environments across Asia, specifically in regions like India, Thailand, and Sumatra. They thrive in habitats with still waters, requiring ample hiding spots and vegetation for shelter and security.