All fish / Mastacembelidae

Half-banded spiny eel

Macrognathus circumcinctus

Also known as half banded spiny eel, halfbanded spiny eel, banded spiny eel, half-banded eel, spiny eel, macrognathus circumcinctus, ปลากระทิงลาย, ปลาหลด, サークムキンクタス, ハーフバンデッドスパイニーイール, 半带刺鳅, 环带棘鳅

A slender spiny eel with a pointed, fleshy snout and dark saddle-like bands that run across the back and part way down the yellowish-brown flanks. Keepers like it because it is one of the smaller spiny eels and makes an unusual bottom dweller that burrows in sand and pokes its head out to watch the tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

16 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a small group of 3 or more in a roomy tank

Diet

Carnivore: bloodworm, blackworm, brine shrimp, chopped prawn and small earthworms; often reluctant to take dry food

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins and peninsular Malaysia: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia

Breeding

It is rarely bred in aquariums, and almost all fish on sale are wild caught. Spawning is thought to involve adhesive eggs scattered among plants, and there are few reliable reports of success.

Good to know

Use soft sand rather than gravel, because it burrows and sharp substrate can hurt its skin. Fit a tight lid since it escapes easily, and do not house it with tiny fish or shrimp, which it may eat.