Pavo spiny eel
Macrognathus pavo
Also known as Eyespot tail spiny eel, Rakhine spiny eel, Pavo eel
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 7.5 in (19 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal (200 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Western Myanmar streams
- Family
- Mastacembelidae
Overview
Keep the pavo spiny eel by itself, as this small species lives alone and will not abide another of its kind in a normal tank. It tucks into the sand during the day and comes out after dark to hunt the floor, so a soft sand bed and quiet, shaded hides come first. It is peaceful toward tankmates it cannot swallow but will take very small fish and shrimp, so choose calm, modestly sized companions. Feed small frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, blackworm, and finely chopped earthworm near the floor after dark. A modest tank of about 200 liters with fine sand and a lid it cannot nose open suits it.
In the wild
The pavo spiny eel is known from a clear mountain stream on the western slope of the Rakhine Yoma in western Myanmar. Recreate that with a sand base, smooth stones, leaf litter, and shaded, gently flowing water. Warm temperatures around 23 to 28 C and a gently acidic to neutral pH near 6.0 to 7.5 suit it, with clean, well-oxygenated conditions in keeping with its clear-stream home.
Good to know
Macrognathus pavo is a small spiny eel of the family Mastacembelidae, reaching around 19 centimeters, described by Ralf Britz in 2010. The family is named for the short spines set before the soft dorsal fin, and pavo has the fewest of any species, just four to six. The Latin pavo, peafowl, refers to the many dark spots scattered over its body and fins. No aquarium breeding is on record.
Did you know
The spines that give spiny eels their name usually number in the dozens, but the pavo spiny eel carries only four to six, the fewest of any species in the family, and it is so scarce it was described from just two specimens.
Common questions
What size tank does a Pavo spiny eel need?
A Pavo spiny eel needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Pavo spiny eel need?
Pavo spiny eel are comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Pavo spiny eel get?
An adult Pavo spiny eel reaches about 7.5 in (19 cm).
Where to buy
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Related species
Barred spiny eel
Macrognathus pancalusFreshwater7.5 in (19 cm)42 gal (160 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Half-banded spiny eel
Macrognathus circumcinctusFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)57 gal (215 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Tapir spiny eel
Macrognathus tapirusFreshwater8.3 in (21 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Burmese spiny eel
Macrognathus orthosemosFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Line-spot spiny eel
Macrognathus lineatomaculatusFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Half-ocellated spiny eel
Macrognathus semiocellatusFreshwater9.1 in (23 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)