Red Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia) 40-60cm Preorder (25-30 days delivery)

The Red Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia) is not a true eel, but a highly intelligent, large freshwater spiny fish native to Southeast Asia. They are famous for their dark bodies decorated with vibrant red or orange stripes that grow brighter as they age. Known for their great personalities, they can even be trained to eat directly from your hand.

Because they grow up to 30 to 40 inches long and live for 15 to 20 years, they are best suited for advanced fishkeepers.

Tank Requirements

Tank Size: Minimum 100 to 150 gallons for an adult.

Substrate: Must use soft sand. They love to burrow, and rough gravel will scratch their skin.

Hiding Spots: Provide plenty of PVC pipes, large caves, and driftwood.Lid: A 100% secure, tight-fitting lid is mandatory. They are notorious escape artists and will squeeze through tiny gaps.

Water ParametersFire eels are highly sensitive to poor water quality, so a powerful filtration system and weekly water changes of 25-30% are required.

Temperature: 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C)

pH: 6.0 to 8.0Hardness: 5 to 15 dH

Diet and Feeding

Fire eels are strict carnivores and usually refuse dry flakes or pellets. They are nocturnal, so it is best to feed them in the evening.

Primary Foods: Frozen or live bloodworms, earthworms, blackworms, and krill.

Treats: Chopped shrimp or small bits of fresh fish.

Note: Young eels should be fed daily, while adults only need food 3 to 4 times a week.

Tankmates Compatibility

Fire eels are generally peaceful but predatory. They will completely ignore large fish, but will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouth, including small tetras, guppies, and dwarf shrimp.

Good Tankmates: Oscars, Severums, Silver Dollars, Angelfish, and larger Gouramis.

Bad Tankmates: Small fish, aggressive cichlids, or other spiny eels.