Home/Store/Fish Out of Stock
Tanganyikan Spiny Eel - (Mastacembelus ellipsifer)
+3
+2

Tanganyikan Spiny Eel - (Mastacembelus ellipsifer)

$130.00
Sold out
Price of shipping is not included.
Size
Questions, Comments, Concerns? Let us know!
Enter your text
Sold out
Save this fish to my favorites.
Customer reviews
Reviews only from verified customers
No reviews yet. You can buy this product and be the first to leave a review.
Share this product with your friends
ShareSharePin it
Tanganyikan Spiny Eel - (Mastacembelus ellipsifer)
Fish Details, Description and Information Below:

🐟 Tanganyikan Spiny Eel – (Mastacembelus ellipsifer) – Unique African Freshwater Eel for Sale

The Tanganyikan Spiny Eel (Mastacembelus ellipsifer) is a fascinating and unusual freshwater fish native to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. Recognized for its elongated, snake-like body, distinctive dark spots or blotches along its flanks, and long snout, this eel is a favorite for aquarists seeking something out of the ordinary. Despite its predatory nature toward very small fish, it is generally peaceful with tankmates too large to be considered food, making it a suitable choice for large African cichlid aquariums.


🔎 Quick Facts – Tanganyikan Spiny Eel (Mastacembelus ellipsifer)

  • 📛 Common Name: Tanganyikan Spiny Eel
  • 🔬 Scientific Name: Mastacembelus ellipsifer
  • 🌍 Origin: Lake Tanganyika, East Africa
  • 🎨 Appearance: Long, slender body with dark elliptical spots or blotches along the sides
  • 📏 Max Size: 16–20 inches (40–50 cm)
  • 💎 Availability: Occasionally available; prized for unique shape and behavior

😇 Behavior & Temperament

  • 🤝 Generally peaceful with medium-to-large tankmates
  • ⚔️ Will eat very small fish or invertebrates that fit in its mouth
  • 🌿 Mostly nocturnal but can become more active in the day with regular feeding

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

  • 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 75+ gallons
  • 🪵 Fine sand substrate to protect delicate skin and allow natural burrowing
  • 🪨 Provide rock caves, driftwood, and PVC pipes for hiding spots
  • 💡 Moderate lighting with shaded areas

💧 Water Parameters – Tanganyikan Spiny Eel Care

  • 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
  • ⚗️ pH: 7.8–9.0 (alkaline)
  • 💧 Hardness: Hard water (10–25 dGH)

🍽️ Diet – Carnivorous Eel

  • 🐟 Frozen bloodworms, mysis shrimp, krill, and chopped earthworms
  • 🦐 Live or frozen feeder shrimp (avoid feeder fish to prevent disease)
  • 🌽 Can be trained to take sinking carnivore pellets

📋 Tanganyikan Spiny Eel Overview Table

Feature Details
🌍 Origin Lake Tanganyika, East Africa
📏 Max Size 16–20 inches
😇 Temperament Peaceful with medium/large fish, predatory toward small fish
🏠 Tank Size 75+ gallons
⚗️ pH Range 7.8–9.0
🌡️ Temperature 75–82°F
🍽️ Diet Carnivorous – worms, shrimp, krill, pellets
🎯 Ideal For African cichlid tanks, large community aquariums

✨ Highlight:
The Tanganyikan Spiny Eel is a rare and eye-catching addition to large African aquariums, offering unique eel-like movement, fascinating nocturnal behavior, and compatibility with many Lake Tanganyika cichlids.

Show More
Below are fish you may also like.
Wild Caught
L301 Para Pleco - (Peckoltia sabaji)
L301 Para Pleco - (Peckoltia sabaji)
L301 Para Pleco - (Peckoltia sabaji)
Price of shipping is not included.
was $70.00
Save 14%
$60.00
Out of stock
Captive Bred
Red Shoulder Peacock - (Aulonocara stuartgranti)
Red Shoulder Peacock - (Aulonocara stuartgranti)
Red Shoulder Peacock - (Aulonocara stuartgranti)
Price of shipping is not included.
$45.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L118 Guyana Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
L118 Guyana Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
L118 Guyana Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$30.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L026 Niveato-Pleco - (Baryancistrus niveatus)
L026 Niveato-Pleco - (Baryancistrus niveatus)
L026 Niveato-Pleco - (Baryancistrus niveatus)
Price of shipping is not included.
$40.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Guianacara Spenhoza
Guianacara Spenhoza
Guianacara Spenhoza
Price of shipping is not included.
$70.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Bristlenose Catfish - (Ancistrus tamboensis)
Bristlenose Catfish - (Ancistrus tamboensis)
Bristlenose Catfish - (Ancistrus tamboensis)
Price of shipping is not included.
$60.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Leucistic Granulated Catfish - (Pterodoras granulosus)
Leucistic Granulated Catfish - (Pterodoras granulosus)
Leucistic Granulated Catfish - (Pterodoras granulosus)
Price of shipping is not included.
was $3 000.00
Save 17%
$2 500.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L205 Andes Tiger Pleco - (Peckoltia sp.)
L205 Andes Tiger Pleco - (Peckoltia sp.)
L205 Andes Tiger Pleco - (Peckoltia sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
was $60.00
Save 8%
$55.00
Wild Caught
L225 Big White Spot Rubbernose Pleco - (Dolichancistrus fuesslii)
L225 Big White Spot Rubbernose Pleco - (Dolichancistrus fuesslii)
L225 Big White Spot Rubbernose Pleco - (Dolichancistrus fuesslii)
Price of shipping is not included.
$60.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L076 Orange Seam Pleco - (Peckoltia sp.)
L076 Orange Seam Pleco - (Peckoltia sp.)
L076 Orange Seam Pleco - (Peckoltia sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$45.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Lime Whiptail - (Acestridium discus)
Lime Whiptail - (Acestridium discus)
Lime Whiptail - (Acestridium discus)
Price of shipping is not included.
$30.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L018 Gold Nugget Pleco For Sale Online
LDA060 Gold Nugget Pleco - (Baryancistrus xanthellus)
LDA060 Gold Nugget Pleco - (Baryancistrus xanthellus)
Price of shipping is not included.
was $60.00
Save 8%
$55.00
Out of stock
  • Search for Fish
  • My Account
  • Track Orders
  • Favorite Fish.
  • Fish Shopping Bag
Powered by Lightspeed
Display prices in:USD
Skip to main content
ENES
Menu
Home
Shop For Fish
Terms & Conditions/FAQ
Shipping & Payments
About Us
Contact Us
© Jasons Plecos & Cichlids LLC 2017-2025
Language:
ENES
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyShipping & Payment InfoReturn PolicyQuarantine Your FishReport abuse
Powered by Lightspeed