There are several species of Asain Spiny Eels, heres some information on one of the smallest species the Peacock Eel - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=41583 . There are also larger species like the Tyre-Track and Fire Eels they have similar requirements but will reach in excess of 30".
Not all spiney eels are Asian, there's at least one African species (Afromastacembelus plagiostomus), and the Peacock is the 2nd smallest, the smallest being Mastacemelus aculeatus, the dwarf spiny eel, reaching only 7 inches.