Indian Eel

[Scatta]

Can anyone give me the Latin name and a bit of info on an Indian Eel? Sorry to be so vague as to what it is, but I saw one in my LFS labelled simply as 'Indian Eel'. All I could see was that it is a spiny eel of some kind. I've tried Google and the search on TFF, but can't seem to find any info.

 

[OohFeeshy]

That's pretty vague, maybe try doing an image search on Fishbase or a similar search.

 

[nmonks]

Could be anything. If you're unlucky, it's Anguilla or Synbranchus spp. Neither of these genera contain species that are suited to the average home aquarium. If you're lucky, it's just a spiny eel. Again, not an easy fish to keep, but far from impossible if you have a tank with a secure lid, sandy substrate (for small species especially), and no fishes likely to compete with it for food (such as loaches and catfish).

Anguilla spp. will look like standard European (or American) eels. Snakelike, pectoral fins very small. Dorsal and anal fins each form long fins along most of the length of the fish and merge with the tail fin. Big, predatory fish that will eventually escape.

Synbranchus spp. have virtually no fins at all, and the gill slit is runs from one side to the other under the throat, as if the fish has had its throat slit. Odd, incredibly nasty fish that will eventually escape.

Spiny eels have, as their name suggests, a row of spines along the back. The head is usually quite long and pointed, in many cases with a mobile "trunk" at the end. Often have quite nice colours. Fun fish, but usually escape and end up dried on the floor.

Cheers, Neale

 

[CFC]

Lets not forget that the "freshwater" moray Gymnothorax tile is also collected in India, oh the joys of wholesalers and fish store common names

 

[nmonks]

What, you mean like "gar" and "freshwater barracuda" and my favourite, "African cichlids (mixed)"!

Cheers, Neale

Lets not forget that the "freshwater" moray Gymnothorax tile is also collected in India, oh the joys of wholesalers and fish store common names

 

[Fella]

What, you mean like "gar" and "freshwater barracuda" and my favourite, "African cichlids (mixed)"!

Cheers, Neale

Will anything ever beat Chinese Algae Eater though? Or Butterfly pleco for Gastromyzon sp.?


I had a feeling when i first opened this thread it might be monopterus albus - http/www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSum...eciesname=albus

 

[nmonks]

Will anything ever beat Chinese Algae Eater though?

As in, not from China, and doesn't eat algae? Like the famous Holy Roman Empire that was neither holy nor Roman.

I had a feeling when i first opened this thread it might be monopterus albus - http/www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSum...eciesname=albus

Agreed. Same family as Synbranchus spp. mentioned above, and diagnosed in the same. Truly a horrific fish unless you're prepared for it. You need to put bricks on top of the lid to stop them getting out, apparently, because they can push open hoods!

Cheers, Neale

 

[Scatta]

Sorry the info provided was so vague. Eels aren't my strong point.

I had a feeling when i first opened this thread it might be monopterus albus - http/www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSum...eciesname=albus

That eel seems to have the same body markings as the ones I saw, but I'm sure they had the 'pointed snout' face that Fire Eels have (sorry for the ridiculous description!).

Agreed. Same family as Synbranchus spp. mentioned above, and diagnosed in the same. Truly a horrific fish unless you're prepared for it. You need to put bricks on top of the lid to stop them getting out, apparently, because they can push open hoods!

Luckily, I didn't buy one. I always find that it's best to research any fish before you buy (as most of you already know!). Lets hope other customers wanting those eels do the same, eh?

Thanks for the info, all!

 

[OohFeeshy]

There's a load of spiny eels with that type of colouration- unfortunately it can be a pain to get an exact species because of the amount, mixed bag of pictures and other reasons. So it could well be a spiny eel- I've heard of some types being referred to as 'Indian'.