Peacock Eel

Peacock Eel key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

8-12 years

Size

20-30cm

Diet

Frozen bloodworm, Tubifex, small crustaceans

Tank

A bottom-dwelling fish reaching 30cm, so a tank with a large footprint is needed. It is scaleless and burrows, so use a deep bed of rounded fine sand and add pipes or driftwood as refuges. Spiny eels escape through gaps, so seal the cover.

Water Temperature & Quality

A tropical freshwater fish, it is scaleless and sensitive to poor water, so keep temperature and water quality stable. The natural habitat is slow-moving or standing water.

Tank Mates

A nocturnal bottom dweller feeding on benthic insect larvae, small crustaceans and fish. Avoid tankmates small enough to swallow, including dwarf shrimp.

Diet & Feeding

In the wild it takes small crustaceans, annelids and fish. In captivity offer sinking meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm and Tubifex, given after dusk when it becomes active.

Breeding & Spawning

It breeds during the wet season when adjacent forests flood, and larvae reach 8cm about 60 days after hatching. The sexes are hard to distinguish externally and no home-aquarium protocol is established.

Health & Notes

Being scaleless it is sensitive to medication and poor water. An introduced population, most likely of aquarium origin, is established in the Florida Everglades, so it must never be released.

About Peacock Eel

The Peacock Eel is a scaleless spiny eel from the Mekong basin, known for the eye-like spots along its dorsal fin and its sand-burrowing habit, which makes a fine substrate essential. Best suited to intermediate keepers; adults reach 20-30cm.

7 things to know before welcoming a Peacock Eel

1. 1Fine Sand Is Essential

   Being scaleless and a natural burrower, this eel needs a substrate of fine, soft sand rather than coarse gravel, which can injure its skin. Choosing the right substrate is one of the most important setup decisions you'll make.

2. 2Scaleless, Delicate Skin

   Without scales to protect it, the Peacock Eel's skin is more prone to abrasions, so stable, well-maintained water quality matters more than usual. Avoid sudden changes in water parameters to keep it healthy.

3. 3Diet Needs Attention

   It prefers meaty foods like frozen bloodworms and can be slow to accept dry flakes or pellets. Since it tends to be more active after dark, offering food in the evening or once the lights are dimmed often works best.

4. 4Calm Temperament

   It has a generally peaceful temperament and can usually be kept with similarly sized tankmates. Smaller fish or invertebrates may be seen as food, so choose tankmates carefully.

5. 5Needs Room to Grow

   Adults reach roughly 20 to 30cm, so plan for a tank with enough length and floor space to match. A cramped enclosure can add unnecessary stress.

6. 6Guard Against Jumping

   Peacock Eels can move suddenly when startled and may attempt to squeeze through small gaps, so a secure, well-fitted lid is strongly recommended.

7. 7Prep Before Arrival

   Set up a fine sand bed and hiding spots before bringing your eel home, and let the water parameters stabilize first. Because this species suits intermediate keepers, some prior experience with water quality management will help.

Frequently asked questions about Peacock Eel

Q.Can it live with other fish?

A.With its generally peaceful temperament, it can usually be kept with similarly sized tankmates. Small fish or invertebrates that fit in its mouth may be treated as food, so choose companions carefully.

Q.Does it stay hidden during the day?

A.It tends to be nocturnal and often stays buried in sand or tucked away in hiding spots during daylight hours. As it settles in and hiding spots are provided, it will gradually become more visible.

Q.What substrate should I use?

A.Since it's scaleless and burrows into sand, a fine, soft substrate is recommended. Coarse gravel can injure its skin, so it's best avoided.

Q.How big does it get?

A.Adults typically reach 20 to 30cm, with some individuals growing to around 30cm in total length. It's worth planning for a tank with enough room to accommodate this growth.

Q.Is it suitable for beginners?

A.This species is generally considered suitable for intermediate keepers. Some experience with water quality and substrate management will help you care for it confidently.

Useful tools for Peacock Eel care

Learn more about Peacock Eel in the encyclopedia

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