Fire eel

The Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia) is a captivating member of the spiny eels family, distinguished by its elongated, eel-like body and stunning patterns. Its base color is typically a deep brown or black, accentuated by striking red to orange markings that run along its sides, resembling flickering flames. This appearance, along with its snake-like movement, makes it a true eye-catcher in any aquarium. Native to the slow-moving rivers and streams of Southeast Asia, including countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Borneo, the Fire Eel can grow quite large, with wild specimens reaching up to 100 cm (about 40 inches). In captivity, they generally remain a bit smaller but still require ample space due to their potential size and activity level.