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Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erthrotaenia)
Fire Eel
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erthrotaenia)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available!

Quick Stats

Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Tan
Diet Carnivore
Water Conditions 75-82° F, KH 10-15, pH 6.8-7.2
Max. Size 2'
Family Mastacembelidae
Minimum Tank Size 125 gallons
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Tan
Diet Carnivore
Water Conditions 75-82° F, KH 10-15, pH 6.8-7.2
Max. Size 2'
Family Mastacembelidae
Minimum Tank Size 125 gallons
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information

Overview

The Fire Eel is a nocturnal predator, and part of the Mastacembelidae family, also referred to as the Spiny Eel family. Members of this family are not true eels. They are elongated, tropical, freshwater fish that have numerous spines preceding the dorsal fin.

Best suited for a larger aquarium, a soft substrate is necessary for this fish. The Fire Eel will often dig in the substrate and bury itself; this may uproot plants and rearrange decorations. A tight lid should be used for any long, slender fish, as they will often try to escape from the aquarium. The Fire Eel should be kept with fish of similar size or larger, and will not tolerate its own kind.

Unfortunately, the breeding habits of the Fire Eel have not been documented.

A carnivore, live foods such as earthworms and black worms should be fed to the Fire Eel. Prepared tablet foods as well as krill and ocean plankton may eventually be accepted.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 2" to 5"; Medium: 5" to 8"; Large: 8" to 14"

Customer Testimonials

Jon Philllips Birmingham , AL
One of the best fish ever! I have had one for around 2 yrs now, they grow quickly! the one i have is around 16" now he was around 8" 2 yrs ago. I had a hard time finding out what to feed him at first but they love ghost shrimp and Nightcrawler worms. he is definately the most popular fish in all of my aquariums, he always hand feeds, and has never been aggressive to any other fish.
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