Mastacembelus ellipsifer

Alternative names

 * Tanganyikan Spiny Eel

Sexing

 * It's not possible to visually sex this fish.

Tank compatibility

 * Best kept in a Tanganyikan community and with peaceful robust fish too large to be eaten. It can be territorial towards other Spiny Eels, so one to a tank.

Diet

 * Should accept most meaty foods including bloodworm, earthworms, shrimp and mussels.

Feeding regime

 * Feed once or twice a day.

Environment Specifics

 * Requires hard alkaline conditions with plenty of places to hide in rock work. A sand substrate is preferred and dim lighting. They do not cope well with currents.

Behaviour

 * A predatory fish that is territorial towards its own kind. Will be peaceful towards fish too large to be eaten.

Identification

 * Typical Spiny Eel in shape with a long snout, it is pale cream-brown in colour with broad red-orange bands down the body.