Liberian spiny eel
Mastacembelus liberiensis
Also known as Liberiensis eel, Orange spot eel
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 15 in (38 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 79 gal (300 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Upper Guinea rivers, Liberia and Guinea
- Family
- Mastacembelidae
Overview
Keep the Liberian spiny eel singly, as it is a solitary eel that does not tolerate its own kind in a normal tank. Give it a soft sand floor to burrow into and root tangles or pipe caves to shelter in by day, since a secure daytime retreat is what settles it. It is peaceful with tankmates too large to swallow but predatory toward small fish, so choose robust, calm companions and avoid tiny species. Feed meaty foods in the evening, such as earthworm, prawn, and frozen items like bloodworm and mysis. A tank of around 300 liters with a deep sand bed and a firm lid suits an adult.
In the wild
The Liberian spiny eel lives in the forest rivers of the Upper Guinea region, in Liberia and Guinea, keeping to shaded margins among roots and submerged wood. Set it up with a sand substrate, driftwood and root cover, dried leaves, and low, shaded light. It likes warmth, about 23 to 28 C, and gently acidic to neutral water around pH 6.0 to 7.5, with soft flow and the tannin-tinted, well-covered feel of a rainforest stream.
Good to know
Mastacembelus liberiensis is a West African member of the spiny eel family Mastacembelidae, reaching about 38 centimeters. Boulenger described it in 1898 and named it for Liberia, the source of the type specimens. In the trade it is sold as the orange spot eel for the warm spotting along its body. Its aquarium breeding is undocumented.
Did you know
The Upper Guinean forests this eel calls home are also the last stronghold of the pygmy hippopotamus, a shy, dog-sized relative of the common hippo found nowhere else, so the eel shares its rivers with one of Africa's rarest large mammals.
Common questions
What size tank does a Liberian spiny eel need?
A Liberian spiny eel needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Liberian spiny eel need?
Liberian spiny eel are comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Liberian spiny eel get?
An adult Liberian spiny eel reaches about 15 in (38 cm).
Where to buy
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Related species
Greshoff's spiny eel
Mastacembelus greshoffiFreshwater15 in (38 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Eyespot spiny eel
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Mastacembelus tinwiniFreshwater17.7 in (45 cm)106 gal (400 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
White-spotted spiny eel
Mastacembelus alboguttatusFreshwater19.3 in (49 cm)106 gal (400 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Marbled spiny eel
Mastacembelus favusFreshwater19.7 in (50 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Blackedge spiny eel
Mastacembelus nigromarginatusFreshwater19.7 in (50 cm)106 gal (400 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)