Pakistani Spiny Eel

Macrognathus pancalus is a widespread South Asian spiny eel found from Pakistan and India through Bangladesh into Myanmar, inhabiting slow-flowing rivers, floodplains, swamps, and rice paddies. Its marbled brown-and-cream body colouration provides excellent camouflage in its natural silty-bottomed environment.

Of all the medium-sized spiny eels, this species is among the most forgiving of suboptimal water conditions, tolerating moderately hard and slightly alkaline water that would stress more demanding relatives. This makes it a practical choice for keepers in areas with harder tap water who still want to experience spiny eel keeping.

It is an enthusiastic and adaptable feeder, readily taking frozen bloodworm, tubifex, and earthworms, with many individuals transitioning to sinking pellets. It is peaceful in mixed community aquariums and can coexist with barbs, larger tetras, loaches, and catfish. A soft substrate and hiding places are still essential to its wellbeing.

Water: Soft to moderately hard, pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 22–28°C, GH 5–18, KH 2–10. Tank: Minimum 120 L, fine sand or fine gravel, caves and plants, sealed lid. Feeding: Carnivore; bloodworm, tubifex, earthworms, and quality sinking pellets. Breeding: Rarely bred; soft neutral water and meaty conditioning foods may encourage spawning. Compatibility: Peaceful community fish; avoid nano fish and small shrimp.