Common Name: Greshoff’s Spiny Eel
Scientific Name: Mastacembelus greshoffi
Other Names: Greshoff’s Spiny Eel, Spotted Spiny Eel
Mastacembelus greshoffi is a fascinating eel-like fish known for its elongated body, adorned with a mix of dark spots and stripes over a pale or yellowish-brown background. It possesses a long dorsal fin running along the latter part of its back and a pointed snout, which it uses to sift through the substrate in search of food. Its spiny and sinuous appearance is tempered by its generally peaceful demeanor, making it a curious addition to many freshwater aquariums.
Habitat and Distribution:
Native to the Congo River basin in Central Africa, Greshoff’s Spiny Eel typically inhabits slow-moving waters, including swamps, marshes, and river backwaters.
Size and Lifespan:
In captivity, this eel can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length. With proper care, they can live for around 8-10 years.
Diet and Behavior:
In the wild, they primarily consume small invertebrates, worms, and insect larvae. In the aquarium, they can be fed a mix of live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex, along with high-quality sinking pellets. They are generally peaceful but can be somewhat shy, often hiding during the day and becoming more active at dusk.
Breeding and Reproduction:
Breeding Mastacembelus greshoffi in captivity is challenging and not well-documented. They are known to scatter their eggs among plants or on soft substrates.
Aquarium Care and Tank Requirements:
A minimum tank size of 50 gallons is recommended. The aquarium should provide plenty of hiding places using driftwood, caves, and dense vegetation, while still offering open areas for swimming. A soft, sandy substrate is ideal as they like to burrow.
Ideal Tank Mates:
Being a peaceful species, they can coexist with a variety of tank mates. However, due to their size and potential to see very small fish as food, it’s best to avoid tiny species. Suitable tank mates include medium-sized characins, catfish, and non-aggressive cichlids.
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate. They have specific habitat requirements and can be sensitive to poor water quality.
Water Parameters:
• Temperature: 74-82°F (23-28°C)
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• General Hardness (GH): 5-20 dGH
• Carbonate Hardness (KH): 3-12 dKH
• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm
Additional Information:
• Due to their shy nature, it’s important not to startle them with sudden movements or bright lights.
• They are known to occasionally jump, so a tightly fitting lid on the aquarium is crucial.
• Regular monitoring and water changes are essential to keep the water quality optimal for their health.
