TankBud

Mae Klong spiny eel

Macrognathus meklongensis

Also known as Red fin zebra eel, Macrognathus mekongensis

FreshwaterFish

Mae Klong spiny eel (Macrognathus meklongensis)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
9.8 in
25 cm
Minimum tank
70 gal
265 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg layer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mastacembelidae
Origin
Mae Klong basin, Thailand

Overview

The Mae Klong spiny eel is a solitary, sand-burrowing eel for the bottom of a calm, planted tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The Mae Klong spiny eel's scientific name is often misspelled mekongensis in the trade. That spelling would put it in the wrong river altogether. The fish is named for the Mae Klong basin in western Thailand, not the Mekong far to the east.

Caring for the Mae Klong spiny eel

Keep the Mae Klong spiny eel in a tank of 70 gal (265 L) or larger, with a secure lid. Give it fine sand deep enough to bury in, wood, plants and shaded hides, and keep the flow gentle. It colors up best over sand in calm, well-planted surroundings.

Keep the water warm, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It buries in the sand by day and comes out at dusk to work the bottom. Feed meaty foods in the evening, such as frozen bloodworm, blackworm and chopped earthworm. Start shy new fish on live blackworm.

Keep it singly, since it can be territorial with its own kind unless the tank is large and full of cover. It is peaceful toward tank mates too big to eat but will take small fish. Choose calm, medium-sized companions.

Unusually for spiny eels, it has been bred in home aquariums, and breeding rates medium difficulty. Pairs spawn among cover and produce clutches of a hundred or more eggs. Rearing the fry is only moderately reliable.

Good to know

Macrognathus meklongensis is a spiny eel of the family Mastacembelidae, described by Tyson Roberts in 1986. It has a golden-bronze body, red-washed fins and small eyespots along the dorsal fin. It also goes by the name red fin zebra eel.

In the wild

The Mae Klong spiny eel is native to the Mae Klong basin in western Thailand. It lives in freshwater rivers and streams with sandy beds.

Common questions

What size tank does a Mae Klong spiny eel need?

A Mae Klong spiny eel needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Mae Klong spiny eel need?

A Mae Klong spiny eel is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Mae Klong spiny eel eat?

A Mae Klong spiny eel eats meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, blackworm and chopped earthworm, fed in the evening. Live blackworm helps a shy new fish start eating.

How big does a Mae Klong spiny eel get?

An adult Mae Klong spiny eel reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

How does a Mae Klong spiny eel breed?

Mae Klong spiny eels spawn in pairs among cover, producing clutches of a hundred or more eggs. Breeding is of medium difficulty, and rearing the fry is only moderately reliable.

Related species