Fire Eel

Looks how to spot one

Long, slightly flattened eel-like body with small spines along the back

A dark grey to brown body with a lighter belly, decorated with bright red stripes on the head and front half and red spots and dashes further back. The markings are yellow to amber in young fish and deepen to red with age, and the fins are often edged in red.12

Personality what they are like

Usually peaceful, but it is a predator that may eat fish small enough to swallow, so tankmates should be clearly too big to be prey.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A bottom dweller that spends a lot of time buried in the substrate with just its snout showing, coming out to forage.23

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Soft sand is essential so it can bury itself. Seriously Fish rates it moderate in difficulty (5 of 8).3

Home where they are happiest

A large tropical tank; Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 120 x 60 cm (about 430 L), 24-28 °C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 5-12 dGH. FishBase gives 24-28 °C and pH 6.0-8.0.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

In the wild it eats insect larvae, worms, small fish and some plant matter. In aquariums it prefers meaty foods such as prawn, krill and lancefish, and rarely eats plants.123

Company who they like around

Usually kept alone, as it can be testy with its own kind. Groups of five or more can work in a very large tank.3

The story where it all began

Pieter Bleeker described the fire eel in 1850. It is fished for food in its home countries and has become a showpiece fish for large aquariums thanks to its fiery markings.123

Recognised by the official bits

FishBase

Described by Bleeker in 1850; family Mastacembelidae (spiny eels).1

IUCN Red List (via FishBase)

Least Concern (assessed 2019).1