Fish

Fire Eel

Mastacembelus erythrotaenia

Also known as Fire Spiny Eel, Red-striped Spiny Eel

Fire eels glide through slow-moving Southeast Asian waters with an undulating ribbon-like motion, instantly recognizable by the blazing red-to-amber stripes along their sleek, velvety bodies. They spend the brighter daylight hours concealed inside hollow logs or buried beneath silt with only their sensitive, probe-like snouts exposed. Despite the popular moniker, they are spiny eels belonging to the order Synbranchiformes rather than true anguilliform eels.

FreshwaterNocturnalBurrower

—observations

—countries

—peak records

Least ConcernConservation status

Key facts

Diet & preyFreshwater shrimp, Earthworms, Small schooling fish

Predators

Larger predatory fish
Water monitors
Smooth-coated otters

ThreatsOverharvesting for food and the aquarium trade, water pollution, and river damming

HabitatsSlow-flowing lowland rivers, swamps, peat bogs, and flooded plains with soft mud or sand substrates

Life span10–20 years

Classification

OrderSynbranchiformes
FamilyMastacembelidae
GenusMastacembelus
SpeciesMastacembelus erythrotaenia

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Safe to observe at a normal distance.

Responsible observation

Substrate protection: Ensure tanks have fine sand, as coarse gravel cuts their delicate skin while burrowing.
Tank containment: Fit aquarium hoods tightly, as powerful musculature allows them to push past loose covers.
Nocturnal viewing: Use dim red illumination after sunset to observe active hunting behavior.

Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…