
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia
A large spiny eel with flame-coloured red-orange stripes along dark brown flanks. It buries in sand by day and becomes active after dark. Reaching a metre, it needs a big tank and a deep sand bed, and escapes through the smallest gaps.
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia is a large mastacembelid ranging from Thailand and Cambodia to Indonesia. Both FishBase and Seriously Fish record a length of 100cm. Red-orange stripes run along dark brown flanks, and the soft portions of the median fins and the pectoral fins carry a sharply defined white margin. It inhabits sluggish lowland waters including floodplains and slow rivers. Seriously Fish recommends 24-28C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 5-12dGH with a 120 x 60cm base, about 432 litres. It burrows, so lay a deep bed of fine sand and add bogwood or pipes as refuges, and seal the cover because it escapes through the smallest gaps. It is peaceful with tankmates too large to swallow. Spawning in aquaria has occurred only accidentally on rare occasions.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Fire Eel lives 8-12 years.
The Fire Eel grows to Up to 100cm.
The ideal temperature for the Fire Eel is 24〜28℃.
Origin
Southeast Asia (Thailand and Cambodia to Indonesia)
Lifespan
8-12 years
Size
Up to 100cm
Sources: FishBase / Seriously Fish
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Temperature
24〜28℃
Prawn, krill, lancefish, live and frozen foods
A 120 x 60cm base, about 432 litres, is the practical minimum. Use a deep bed of fine sand for burrowing and add bogwood, rock caves or PVC pipe as daytime refuges. Keep the lighting dim and seal the cover, as it escapes through the smallest gaps.
Seriously Fish gives 24-28C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 5-12dGH; FishBase records 24-28C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-19dH in the wild. It comes from still water, so keep the flow gentle.
Generally a peaceful community fish, but it eats anything small enough to swallow. It can be aggressive towards conspecifics, so one per tank is recommended; if several are kept, use five or more.
Omnivorous in the wild, taking small fish, aquatic invertebrates, plant matter and detritus. In captivity it prefers meaty foods such as prawn, krill and lancefish; live and frozen foods alone are unlikely to sustain a large specimen.
Females become fuller-bodied when in breeding condition. Spawning in aquaria has only occurred accidentally and on rare occasions, and no established protocol exists.
The row of dorsal spines is harmless to humans. Its fine scales make it sensitive to medication, so treat parasites cautiously, and use rounded fine sand because it burrows.
Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.
The ideal temperature for Fire Eel is 24〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Fire Eel is 8-12 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Fire Eel typically reaches Up to 100cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Fire Eel feeds on: Prawn, krill, lancefish, live and frozen foods. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Fire Eel varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026