TankBud

Zebra spiny eel

Macrognathus zebrinus

Also known as Zebra eel, Burmese spiny eel

FreshwaterFish

Zebra spiny eel (Macrognathus zebrinus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Mastacembelidae
Origin
Native to the Irrawaddy and Sittang drainages of Myanmar, over sand and fine gravel in flowing streams.

Overview

A moderate spiny eel reaching about 30 cm, it suits a tank of at least 160 litres with a deep, soft sand bed and a tight lid. Keep it at 22 to 27 C and pH 6.5 to 7.5. It is peaceful and can be kept in a group or with calm mid-sized tankmates too large to eat. Feed bloodworm, earthworms and other small meaty foods, ideally after dark.

In the wild

The zebra spiny eel is a slender burrowing fish barred with dark zebra-like stripes and tipped with a small movable snout. It sifts sand for food and buries itself with only the head showing. It is more peaceful and manageable than the larger spiny eels.

Good to know

Macrognathus zebrinus comes from Myanmar and stays around 25 to 30 cm in aquaria, smaller than its big Mastacembelus relatives. Like all spiny eels it has a row of short dorsal spines ahead of the soft fin. It uses its flexible snout to probe sand for worms and larvae.

Did you know

Spiny eels sift mouthfuls of sand for hidden worms, then blow the clean grains back out through the gills.

Common questions

What size tank does a Zebra spiny eel need?

A Zebra spiny eel needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Zebra spiny eel need?

A Zebra spiny eel is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

How big does a Zebra spiny eel get?

An adult Zebra spiny eel reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Related species