| Family: |
Mastacembelidae (Spiny eels) |
| Max. size: |
18.9 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 34.5 g |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish |
| Distribution: |
Asia: Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Reported from Nepal (Ref. 9496). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 24-26; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30-42; Anal soft rays: 31-46 |
| Biology: |
Inhabits slow and shallow waters of rivers of plains and estuaries; never available above an altitude of 366 m. Also found in canals, streams, beels, ponds and inundated fields (Ref. 1479). Has been placed into aquaria and kept by hobbyists; it stays on the bottom and spawns in the upper water-level. The more slender and generally smaller males pursue the female in courtship; several males may join in. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 January 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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