Freshwater
Eel
More details
Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia)
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Pro
Description
The Fire Eel is a long, serpentine freshwater spiny eel known for its striking red-orange stripes and inquisitive personality. With the potential to grow over two feet in length, it thrives in large, soft-water aquariums with deep substrate and gentle flow.
Difficulty Level
Expert Only
Region
Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires large tanks, soft substrate, and specific water conditions. Sensitive to poor water quality and stress. Not ideal for small community tanks.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Mostly wild-caught but bred in limited numbers. Habitat loss and pollution affect native populations in Southeast Asia.
Origin
Native to slow-moving rivers, swamps, and floodplains across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Dark brown body with vivid red or orange lateral stripes and a streamlined profile. Nocturnal and shy at first, but becomes interactive with time. Known for burrowing and resting under substrate or decor.
Purpose
Functions as a bottom-dwelling oddball species. Adds unique motion and intrigue to large tanks. Helps stir substrate and creates natural micro-habitats through burrowing.
Importance
Sought after for its beauty, size, and quirky personality. A peaceful addition to large tanks that’s compatible with non-aggressive tankmates. Often a showpiece in oddball or predator-style aquariums.
Included Resources
Requires fine sand substrate for burrowing. Needs tight-fitting lids (they’re escape artists), low to moderate flow, and hiding places like driftwood, caves, or PVC tubes. Prefers soft, acidic water.
Best Use Cases
Ideal for oddball aquariums, Southeast Asian biotopes, or predator tanks with non-aggressive species. Not suitable for planted nano tanks or aquascapes with delicate decor.
Conservation Context
Populations declining in some regions due to waterway development and pollution. While not formally endangered, responsible sourcing and habitat awareness are important.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Silver dollars
• Large gouramis
• Clown loaches
• Bichirs
• Peaceful cichlids (like Severums)
Avoid small fish or aggressive tankmates.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 13.7563° N
• Longitude: 100.5018° E
(Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -6.9149° S
• Longitude: 107.6206° E
(West Java floodplain zones, Indonesia)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires large tanks, soft substrate, and specific water conditions. Sensitive to poor water quality and stress. Not ideal for small community tanks.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Mostly wild-caught but bred in limited numbers. Habitat loss and pollution affect native populations in Southeast Asia.
Origin
Native to slow-moving rivers, swamps, and floodplains across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Dark brown body with vivid red or orange lateral stripes and a streamlined profile. Nocturnal and shy at first, but becomes interactive with time. Known for burrowing and resting under substrate or decor.
Purpose
Functions as a bottom-dwelling oddball species. Adds unique motion and intrigue to large tanks. Helps stir substrate and creates natural micro-habitats through burrowing.
Importance
Sought after for its beauty, size, and quirky personality. A peaceful addition to large tanks that’s compatible with non-aggressive tankmates. Often a showpiece in oddball or predator-style aquariums.
Included Resources
Requires fine sand substrate for burrowing. Needs tight-fitting lids (they’re escape artists), low to moderate flow, and hiding places like driftwood, caves, or PVC tubes. Prefers soft, acidic water.
Best Use Cases
Ideal for oddball aquariums, Southeast Asian biotopes, or predator tanks with non-aggressive species. Not suitable for planted nano tanks or aquascapes with delicate decor.
Conservation Context
Populations declining in some regions due to waterway development and pollution. While not formally endangered, responsible sourcing and habitat awareness are important.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Silver dollars
• Large gouramis
• Clown loaches
• Bichirs
• Peaceful cichlids (like Severums)
Avoid small fish or aggressive tankmates.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 13.7563° N
• Longitude: 100.5018° E
(Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -6.9149° S
• Longitude: 107.6206° E
(West Java floodplain zones, Indonesia)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires large tanks, soft substrate, and specific water conditions. Sensitive to poor water quality and stress. Not ideal for small community tanks.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Mostly wild-caught but bred in limited numbers. Habitat loss and pollution affect native populations in Southeast Asia.
Origin
Native to slow-moving rivers, swamps, and floodplains across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Dark brown body with vivid red or orange lateral stripes and a streamlined profile. Nocturnal and shy at first, but becomes interactive with time. Known for burrowing and resting under substrate or decor.
Purpose
Functions as a bottom-dwelling oddball species. Adds unique motion and intrigue to large tanks. Helps stir substrate and creates natural micro-habitats through burrowing.
Importance
Sought after for its beauty, size, and quirky personality. A peaceful addition to large tanks that’s compatible with non-aggressive tankmates. Often a showpiece in oddball or predator-style aquariums.
Included Resources
Requires fine sand substrate for burrowing. Needs tight-fitting lids (they’re escape artists), low to moderate flow, and hiding places like driftwood, caves, or PVC tubes. Prefers soft, acidic water.
Best Use Cases
Ideal for oddball aquariums, Southeast Asian biotopes, or predator tanks with non-aggressive species. Not suitable for planted nano tanks or aquascapes with delicate decor.
Conservation Context
Populations declining in some regions due to waterway development and pollution. While not formally endangered, responsible sourcing and habitat awareness are important.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Silver dollars
• Large gouramis
• Clown loaches
• Bichirs
• Peaceful cichlids (like Severums)
Avoid small fish or aggressive tankmates.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 13.7563° N
• Longitude: 100.5018° E
(Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -6.9149° S
• Longitude: 107.6206° E
(West Java floodplain zones, Indonesia)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia)
Region
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