Aethiomastacembemus Ellipsifer-tanganyikan Spiny Eel

[kj23502]

Hi all. I just set up a Malawi Mbuna tank and am wondering if one of these eels would be ok with them when all my fish are full grown? I've been wanting to keep an eel of some sort but got dissapointed b/c I wanted a "true eel(moray)" but am not ready for a saltwater tank....so I can settle for this if it will be alright. Most of my species should be around 4-6" when full grown and I plan to take out the occasional mouthbrooder to put into a fry tank until she releases the fry....so I'm not too worried about it eating the babies...would it be ok with synos(since synos are bottom dwellers)? I've never kept an eel before, just read about them. Any help is appreciated.

--edit---
I keep the ph at about 8 or 8.1 ish. and the water is hard. I maintain it w/seachem malawi/victorain cichlid buffer with each water change.

 

[nmonks]

The African spiny eels are rather uncommon in the trade, so finding one might be difficult. (They are, by the way, all back in genus Mastacembelus along with their Asian cousins.)

In any case, the African species can be tricky to home in some ways. They are mutually territorial, so only one to a tank! They will also squabble with cichlids for hiding places, so consider installing some long, thin ceramic tubes behind the rockwork where the eel can set up home. On the flip side, very aggressive mbuna could damage the eel if they start fighting. Most success seems to come from mixing them with Tanganyikans, though I dare say placid Malawians like Iodotropheus and Labidochromis would work well. I wouldn't risk them with Melanochromis or Pseudotropheus-type things though.

Do not underestimate their predatory habits! Spiny eels can open their mouths *very* wide.

I happen to think sand is infinitely preferable to gravel when keeping spiny eels. You also want to avoid mixing with nocturnal bottom feeders, such as Synodontis. Remember, spiny eels aren't "scavengers" and need very specific food items. They're also great escape artists. Please take a look over my PFK article for some general spiny eel info.

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...?article_id=630

Cheers, Neale

 

[kj23502]

I'm not keeping any of the harsh species of cichlids...but my c. afra only get 3" max....I guess maybe the eel may be out of ?.....I do have sandy bottom and tons of slate. Maybe I'll pass on one then! Thanks for your help.

 

[nmonks]

As for choosing tankmates, I can say from (unfortunate) experience that a 40-cm spiny eel can swallow prey as large as swordtail. So I'd suggest not mixing them with anything that sized or smaller.

Cheers, Neale