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I was browsing through an issue of "Aquarium Fish" at a pet shop today. I noticed an interesting article that responded to someones question of what types of eels are freshwater. The author of the article said there are a few true-eel species that are freshwater. He mentioned two, the fire-eel and something else that escapes my mind at the moment. Im not certain, but i thought fire-eels are NOT true eels???

Eh? Hold on, let me take a quick browse of my AFM collection...

Awww, it actually was written like that. Indeed, the Spiny Eels are not true eels.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Then what are real fw eels? i've heard of fw moray eel but is that a spiny eel or are there no true fw eels?

FW morays I believe are brackish water fish. Most "freshwater" eels I would presume are actually brackish.

How about the little eels that live in rivers around here? (BC Canada). Are those true eels? The sure look like it. I use to catch em all the time as a kid!


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I THINK that there are a few species of true freshwater eels, but they are very hard to find and very rarely seen. But im not sure if i am correct.

i believe many are born in FW and move through rivers towards the ocean (and full SW) by adulthood.

Ok thanks. sneaky could you get some pics of the fish your talking about?

True Eels are members of the Family Anguillidae, and are usually marine, though quite a few are euryhaline (will migrate between fresh & salt water during their life cycle). Spiny Eels are members of the Family Mastacembelidae, and are mostly exclusively freshwater, though one or two species are reported as being capable of living in modestly brackish water.

Fire Eels, Mastacembelus erythrotaenia, are the largest and most delicate of the Spiny Eels, and generally require a species aquarium. They can reach a metre in length, and are VERY fussy about water conditions. They also tend to need at least some live food in their diet, which in the case of large specimens means the occasional live feeder fish. Generally, these things are best kept in a group of three to five individuals in a VERY large aquarium (you'll be looking at 1000 gallons UK to give them growing space!), with moderate lighting, plenty of floating plants, and LOTS of bogwood roots for hiding places. They also prefer a soft sand substrate to bury themselves in. They are crepuscular (twylight active) and are best fed at "lights out" when first acquired, until they learn that you're dispensing food and start to become more active during more sociable daylight hours.

Hope this answers your question

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