![One-Stripe Spiny Eel
Genus: Macrognathus
Species: M. aral
See below for care details
[[MORE]] Maximum Size: 25”, but 18″ more likely
Aggression: Low
Temperature: 70-80 F
pH: 7-8
Hardness: 10-20 dH
Brackish Tolerance: 1.000-1.005
Minimum Tank Size: 75...](https://64.media.tumblr.com/63dd1df0b080016729b63d835eaa1499/tumblr_nye3o9eX021th8jn4o1_1280.jpg)
One-Stripe Spiny Eel
Genus: Macrognathus
Species: M. aral
See below for care details
Maximum Size: 25”, but 18″ more likely
Aggression: Low
Temperature: 70-80 F
pH: 7-8
Hardness: 10-20 dH
Brackish Tolerance: 1.000-1.005
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Feeding: New specimens are likely only to eat live food like
blackworms, tubifex, and smaller earthworms for the first few weeks of
keeping. May or may not convert to frozen foods
Notes: The One-Stripe
Spiny Eel is a mostly peaceful fish though they can be somewhat
territorial with conspecifics. These fish are best kept either with peaceful fish too large to be swallowed hole and/or in groups of 4 or more (groups of 2 or 3 are likely to squabble). Good tankmates include things like glassfish and Mollies which aren’t likely to bother the spiny eel.
As with all spiny eels, One-Stripe Spiny Eels are burrowers and these fish do best with smooth sand substrates. Rougher substrates like gravel aare too likely to scratch them severely, leading to infections and other illnesses. Marine salt seems to help prevent these conditions from occurring. Prevention is by far the best “cure”, as most medications (including those containing copper) are fatal to these fish. Plants in the tank, aside from floating plants or epiphytes like Anubias and Java Fern, are likely to be uprooted at some point or another.
Feeding can be difficult as these fish are not great at competing for food and starvation is a common concern. The best options are to train for hand feeding or to feed at night. If the latter approach is chosen, it’s best not to house with any other fish that feed at night like Brown Hoplos or Horseface Loaches. As with many eel-shaped fish, the One-Stripe Spiny Eel is an accomplished escape artist and will escape any aquarium if steps are not taken to keep them in.
Sources
FAQs on Mastacembelid, Spiny Eel Selection, Wetwebmedia
FAQs on Mastacembelus aral, Spiny Eel Fishes, Wetwebmedia
Spiny Eels (family Mastacembelidae), Neale Monks
