All fish / Mastacembelidae

Lesser spiny eel

Macrognathus aculeatus

Also known as lesser spiny eel, spiny eel, peacock eel, one-stripe spiny eel, spotfin spiny eel, lesser spiney eel, ปลาหลด, tilan, スパイニーイール, sili, berod, 棘鳅

A slender, eel-like fish with a pointed, trunk-like snout, a brown body and a row of dark eyespots ringed in pale yellow along the base of the dorsal fin. Keepers enjoy its curious, characterful behaviour as it burrows in sand with only its head showing and learns to take food from the hand.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

25 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a small group with plenty of hiding places

Diet

Carnivore: bloodworm, blackworm, brine shrimp, chopped prawn and earthworms

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Asia: Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java

Breeding

Rarely bred in home aquariums; spawning is thought to involve eggs scattered among plants and seems linked to seasonal changes in water conditions. Most fish sold are wild caught.

Good to know

Use soft sand rather than sharp gravel and a tight-fitting lid, as it can escape through small gaps; it will eat small fish and shrimp. Often confused with Macrognathus siamensis, which is sold under the same names.