All fish / Mastacembelidae

Barred Spiny Eel

Macrognathus fasciatus

Also known as banded spiny eel, striped spiny eel, barred spiny eel, indian barred spiny eel, 条纹刺鳅

This is a slim, eel-like fish with a pointed, trunk-like snout and dark vertical bars along a pale brown to yellowish body. Keepers like it because it is fairly small for a spiny eel, peaceful with fish too big to swallow, and fun to watch as it burrows and pokes about with its snout.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Single or a small group with plenty of hiding places

Diet

Carnivore: bloodworm, blackworm, brine shrimp, small earthworms and other meaty frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern India (Western Ghats, Kerala and Karnataka rivers)

Breeding

Captive breeding has rarely been recorded. Wild spawning probably follows the monsoon, with eggs scattered among plants, and it is very hard to repeat in home aquariums.

Good to know

Give it soft sand so it can bury itself, and keep a tight lid because it escapes through very small gaps. It will eat small fish and shrimp, and it is often confused with other Macrognathus species in the trade.