Fire Eel - Mastacembelus erythrotaenia - Small

The Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia) is one of the largest spiny eels. It has a brown/black elongated body with a pointed snout and is marked with bright orange to red horizontal broken lines and spots. Its dorsal and anal fins have orange to red margins.

Freshwater eels are generally bottom dwellers that will often bury in the substrate or hide in crevices and caves. They feed on worms, insect larvae, crustaceans, fish, and sometimes plant matter. Provide small grain, smooth gravel or sand so that the fish can burrow safely, as well as tubes or rock crevices for hiding places. These fish are peaceful when kept with large tankmates, but will often consume small fish.

These eels feed primarily on insect larvae, worms, and occasionally, plant material in their natural habitat. In the aquarium, they can be fed most sinking pellets and other meaty foods. When they grow larger, they will eat small fish, so be sure that any fish kept with the eel are too large to swallow.

Freshwater eels do have an escape risk; keep a tightly-fitting lid on the tank to keep the eels in the aquarium. Most species are nocturnal and will hide for most of the day, becoming more active at night.