Meklong Spiny Eel

About

Found in the Meklong River basin of Thailand, Macrognathus meklongensis is a spiny eel that most keepers will only glimpse after dark. Like its relatives in the group, it spends the majority of its time close to the substrate, burrowing into soft sand or tucking beneath decor during daylight hours. Once comfortable in a tank, though, hunger has a way of overriding shyness, and you may start catching it cruising the mid-water column or even nosing toward the surface at feeding time. It reaches a modest size for a spiny eel, topping out somewhere between four and seven inches depending on the individual, which makes it more manageable than some of the larger species in the hobby. Diet is entirely animal-based, so expect to offer worms, small invertebrates, or meaty frozen foods. A soft, sandy substrate is really non-negotiable here, both for the fish's comfort and for its natural burrowing behavior. Keep the tank well covered, since spiny eels are notorious escape artists. With attentive care this species can live well over a decade, which is worth keeping in mind before picking one up on impulse.