Tank setup
A minimum 700L aquarium suits Fire Eel. Match décor to natural behaviour — plants, rockwork, or open swimming room as needed.
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Monster Fish
Other Monster Fish
Uncommon
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia
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What to know before you buy.
The Fire Eel is the largest species of spiny eel and one of the most visually spectacular freshwater fish available. Its dark body is adorned with vivid red to orange lateral stripes and spots that "glow" against the black background, becoming more intense with age and good care. Despite its name, it is not a true eel but rather belongs to the Mastacembelidae family. It is a shy, nocturnal predator that spends much of its time buried in soft substrate with only its nose protruding.
Key traits
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Everything you need to keep Fire Eel healthy in a South African setup.
A minimum 700L aquarium suits Fire Eel. Match décor to natural behaviour — plants, rockwork, or open swimming room as needed.
Keep pH 6.5–7.5 and 24–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Fire Eel is carnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for monster fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Fire Eel is generally semi-aggressive. Observe during feeding and at lights-out for true temperament.
Pair with similarly sized semi-aggressive tankmates in monster fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding notes for Fire Eel vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
From hobbyists across SA.
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
SA price range this month: R500–2500 · Average: R1170
This data is unique to FishHub
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