Zig-zag eel
Zig-zag eel | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Synbranchiformes |
Family: | Mastacembelidae |
Genus: | Mastacembelus |
Species: | M. armatus
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Binomial name | |
Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800)
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Synonyms[2] | |
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The zig-zag eel (Mastacembelus armatus Scopoli, 1777[3]), also known as the tire-track, tire-track spiny- or marbled spiny eel,[2] is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish in the family Mastacembelidae. It is native to the riverine systems of the Indian Subcontinent (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal), Sri Lanka, Malaysia,Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. The species was initially described as Macrognathus armature (Lacepède, 1800).[4] Other common names for this popular captive species include the leopard spiny eel[5] and white-spotted spiny eel.
This eel has remained fairly popular as an aquarium fish for years, owing to its unique appearance and behaviors. Additionally, like other species of eels throughout the world, the zig-zag eel serves as a viable protein and food source for humans, aquatic reptiles, birds and other, larger fishes throughout much of its range.[6][2]
Description
Mastacembelus armatus is a large elongated fish that has a
Mastacembelus armatus can reach up to 36" (91 cm) in its natural habitat but does not usually exceed 20" (51 cm) in captivity.[6][2]
Despite its eel-like appearance, Mastacembelus armatus is not considered a
Habitat
Mastacembelus armatus are
In the aquarium
Aquarium maintenance
Mastacembelus armatus are
M. armatus tend to uproot plants and disturb decorations.[7]
Compatibility
Although zig-zag eels are often combined with medium to large-sized
Feeding
Being
Reproduction
Male and female zig-zag eels are only distinguishable when mature. Females are normally plumper than males. Although their fecundity in the wild is high, there are no known successful breeding programs in captivity.[6][2]
References
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Mastacembelus armatus" in FishBase. August 2019 version.
- ^ Integrated Taxonomic Information System, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800), Taxonomic Serial No.: 172692, 2007, retrieved on:5 June 2007.
- ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "'Macrognathus armatus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ Leopard spiny eel (Mastacembelus armatus), BangkokAquarium.com, Bangkok, Thailand, 2006, retrieved on: 5 June 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Butler, Rhett Ayers, Tire track Eel, Spiny Eel, White-spotted Spiny Eel (Mastacembelus armatus), Tropical Freshwater Aquarium Fish (TFAF), 1995 and Mongabay.com, 2006, retrieved on: 5 June 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g Foster and Smith, Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc., PetEducation.com, 2007, retrieved on: 5 June 2007.
- ^ Tire Track Eel (Mastacembelus armatus), Aqua-Fish.net, 2007, retrieved on: 5 June 2007.