Striped Peacock Eel

Macrognathus zebrinus is a graceful slender spiny eel from Myanmar and parts of Thailand, distinguished from the common peacock eel by its fine longitudinal body stripes and a more consistently spotted dorsal fin pattern. It inhabits slow-moving, vegetated lowland rivers and canal systems where soft substrate is abundant.

In the aquarium this species is best accommodated in a well-planted setup with a fine sandy substrate and multiple caves or pipes for shelter. It is slightly more retiring than some of its relatives and benefits from subdued lighting and dense planting to feel secure enough to venture out during daytime hours.

Feeding follows the standard spiny eel routine: live and frozen bloodworm are accepted immediately, followed by tubifex, blackworm, and small earthworms. Most individuals can eventually be weaned onto quality sinking micro-pellets. Tankmates should be peaceful and of a size that rules out predation in both directions.

Water: Soft to moderately hard, pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 24–28°C, GH 3–12, KH 1–6. Tank: Minimum 80 L, fine sand, dense planting, subdued lighting, sealed lid. Feeding: Carnivore; bloodworm, tubifex, blackworm, small earthworms, micro-pellets. Breeding: Not well documented; assumed egg-scatterer in dense vegetation with soft warm water. Compatibility: Peaceful with medium community fish; avoid nano fish.