Spotfin Spiny Eel
Macrognathus siamensis
A slender, burrowing oddity with a row of false eyes along its back.
About
The spotfin spiny eel (Macrognathus siamensis) is one of the more personable oddball fish you can keep in a freshwater setup, and it tends to win over anyone who gives it a chance. Native to Southeast Asia, particularly across the Indomalayan region including Thailand and surrounding countries, it inhabits slow-moving rivers, floodplains, and weedy shallows where it spends much of its time buried in soft substrate with just its snout poking out. The name comes from the row of distinct ocellated spots running along the dorsal fin, which look remarkably like a line of eyes. A clever bit of natural misdirection for potential predators. Despite the name, it is not a true eel but belongs to its own family of spiny eels. In the aquarium it tends to be shy at first, doing most of its exploring after lights out, but over time many individuals become surprisingly bold and will learn to recognize their keeper. It does best with a soft, sandy substrate it can dig into freely, along with plenty of hiding spots and low-intensity lighting. A peaceful fish overall, though small enough tankmates may occasionally go missing. Considered an intermediate-level species, mostly due to its dietary quirks and escape-artist tendencies.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Spotfin Spiny Eel
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Spotfin Spiny Eel need?
- The Spotfin Spiny Eel does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 6–7.5, hardness around 5–15 dGH.
- Is the Spotfin Spiny Eel aggressive?
- The Spotfin Spiny Eel is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the Spotfin Spiny Eel eat?
- The Spotfin Spiny Eel is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.