TankBud

Zebra spiny eel

Macrognathus zebrinus

Also known as 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
63 gal
240 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
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

The zebra spiny eel is a mid-sized spiny eel for a sandy-bottomed tank, more peaceful and manageable than the larger spiny eels. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

Like other spiny eels, the zebra spiny eel sifts mouthfuls of sand for hidden worms. It then blows the clean grains back out through its gills.

Caring for the zebra spiny eel

Keep the zebra spiny eel in a tank of 63 gal (240 L) or larger, with a deep, soft sand bed and a tight lid. Keep the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed bloodworm, earthworms and other small meaty foods, ideally after dark.

The zebra spiny eel is peaceful, and it does fine alone or in a group of its own kind. Keep it with calm, mid-sized tank mates that are too large to eat. Breeding it in the aquarium is hard.

Good to know

Macrognathus zebrinus is a slender spiny eel barred with dark zebra-like stripes. It stays smaller than its big Mastacembelus relatives. Like all spiny eels, it has a row of short dorsal spines ahead of the soft fin. Its small, flexible snout probes the sand for worms and larvae. It also goes by the name Burmese spiny eel.

In the wild

The zebra spiny eel is native to the Irrawaddy and Sittang drainages of Myanmar. It lives over sand and fine gravel in flowing streams, where it buries itself with only its head showing.

Common questions

What size tank does a zebra spiny eel need?

A zebra spiny eel needs at least 63 gal (240 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.

What does a zebra spiny eel eat?

A zebra spiny eel eats bloodworm, earthworms and other small meaty foods. Feed it after dark if you can.

How big does a zebra spiny eel get?

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

Related species