Macrognathus – features of the fish, types and rules for keeping fish

The macrognathus is a fascinating species of fish distinguished by its distinct behavior and eel-like body. This thin fish is popular among hobbyists searching for something unique and can give your aquarium an air of exotic appeal. Macrognathus have fascinating movements and complex patterns that make them a real focal point in any tank.

Macrognathus comes in a variety of forms, each with unique traits of its own. They may differ in appearance, but their maintenance needs are usually the same. It will be easier to ensure their success in your aquarium if you are aware of their individual requirements.

Understanding Macrognathus’ habitat and behavior is necessary for proper care. They require healthy food, a clean environment, and tank mates who get along. If the proper circumstances are met, you can take pleasure in witnessing these fish grow and exhibit their native behaviors.

Feature	Description
Species	Macrognathus includes species like Macrognathus siamensis (Peacock eel) and Macrognathus aculeatus (Spiny eel).
Size	They typically grow to about 20-25 cm in length.
Tank size	Aquarium of at least 100 liters is recommended.
Water conditions	They prefer warm water, around 24-28°C, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Diet	Feed them live or frozen food like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and small insects.
Behavior	These fish are generally peaceful but can be territorial towards

Habitat

Macrognathus can be found in the wild in Borneo and Sumatra islands, as well as in Southeast Asia and India. These fish favor placid, quiet bodies of water.

Macrognathus typically live close to sandbanks. Fish that are younger stay in groups, but as they get older, each one has their own territory.

Macrognathus are predators of the night. These incredible fish practically burrow themselves into the earth during the day, showing only their heads above the surface. By doing this, they are able to follow their victim while staying hidden from view. The fish also get rid of extra mucus by burying themselves in the earth, which coats their whole body.

Macrognathus can be reliably shielded from the effects of the outside world by thick and abundant mucus. It allows the fish to remain viable for extended periods of time by allowing them to remain on land outside the reservoir.

Characteristics of the fish

Macrognathus have a distinctive look. These fish’s primary traits are as follows:

• Body– elongated, flattened on the sides, resembles the body of an eel. The head is pointed, has a pronounced proboscis.
• Fins– anal and dorsal are very long, occupy about 1/3 of the body of the fish. Pectoral fins are translucent, delicate, small in size. The ventral fins are not developed.
• Color– varies depending on the subspecies. Most often, individuals are dark brown, beige or gray. Some macrognathus have spots.

Differences between males and females

Male and female gender differences in macrognathus are not very noticeable. On the other hand, females typically have larger, more massive bodies. Additionally, females’ abdomens are distinctly rounded.

Macrognathus are fish that can grow to a maximum size of 15 to 30 centimeters.

In addition, they must establish and preserve ideal conditions in order to preserve health.

Aquarium

You will need an aquarium that holds between 80 and 100 liters in order to keep one fish. The ideal models are rectangular and should measure at least 90 centimeters.

One requirement is that there must be a lid. The truth is that macrognathus will attempt to escape at any chance. The fish can squeeze through even the smallest openings thanks to its slimy body.

Up to two years old, young macrognathus get along well in a group setting. However, keeping them together in a small aquarium is not advised because older animals can become territorial and cause conflicts with neighbors.

Water parameters

Though hardy and unassuming, macrognathus are highly responsive to variations in water quality.

The ideal settings are:

• Temperature — +26-28 degrees, but values ​​up to +22 degrees are acceptable.
• Hardness – 5-20 dH.
• Acidity – 6-7.

A lot of owners season their macrognathus water with salt. The standard range of 2–10 g/liter for salt content in aquariums should be adhered to.

Hygiene

Routine upkeep for aquariums. It is necessary to change out one-third of the aquarium’s water once a week. Add salt to macrognathus water until it needs to be replaced if it is kept in salted water. Fish skin generates a lot of mucus, so it’s important to regularly siphon and clean the bottom.

Equipment

Equipment needed to set up an aquarium with macrognathus is as follows:

• Filter– a powerful one, corresponding to the volume of the aquarium. At the same time, it should not create a strong current. The filter can be of any type (chemical, biological or mechanical), but experienced owners of macrognathus recommend using a combination of several options at once.
• Aerator– it is best to choose an independent model. Necessary to saturate the water with oxygen.
• Heater– necessary in conditions when the aquarium is in a fairly cool room. However, if the water temperature does not drop below +22 degrees, you can do without it.

To check the temperature in addition to the previously mentioned items, a thermometer will be needed. Any model will do.

Lighting

Since macrognathus are nocturnal creatures, they don’t require extra lighting.

If you choose to install lighting—for instance, because it’s required for plants—make sure that the amount of daylight does not surpass twelve hours. To avoid overheating the aquarium’s water, the lamp should also have a low heat output.

Soil

Given that macrognathus fish spend the majority of their lives nearly entirely submerged in soil, choosing the right soil for them requires careful consideration.

It is definitely not appropriate to use soil that has sharp-edged stones or other particles in it that could cut the fish’s skin. Furthermore, since it will be difficult for the fish to bury themselves in it, pebbles are not the ideal solution.

The best choice for macrognathus is thoroughly cleaned and washed river sand.

Feeding

Macrognathus are predators that consume small fish, worms, invertebrates, and insect larvae.

Their diet at home is composed of:

Macrognathus have high standards for the quality of their food. They frequently ignore them and reject industrial food that is dry and granulated. Therefore, you must exercise patience when selecting a healthy diet.

For macrognathus, ready-made industrial feeds like Tetra FreshDelica or its equivalents are a good choice. This is a wholesome jelly that is enhanced with minerals, vitamins, and other elements required for fish.

Due to their nocturnal lifestyle, macrognathhus must be fed with consideration. The best time to feed the fish is right before dusk, right after the lights go out.

Make sure that the macrognathus cannot steal food from the more active and mobile fish in the aquarium if they share it with them. Some owners pre-train their macrognathus to accept food from tweezers in order to prevent this.

Although macrognathus primarily inhabit the bottom, certain individuals possess the ability to swim to the surface in search of food, and in some cases, they can even accept food straight from their owners’ hands.

Breeding – conditions, stimulation, features

It is challenging to independently breed macrognathus at home. The rainy season, when the water’s characteristics drastically alter, is when these fish spawn. It is very hard to replicate those circumstances. Therefore, the only method used to encourage spawning in captivity is hormonal injections.

Macrognathus, commonly referred to as the spiny eel, is an intriguing species of fish distinguished by its distinct behaviors and snake-like appearance. To maintain the health and wellbeing of Macrognathus in an aquarium, extra care must be taken with regard to the water’s quality, hiding spots, and a varied diet. Although there are many varieties of Macrognathus available, including the Peacock and Zebra varieties, each has unique care requirements, but they all like quiet, uncluttered environments. With the right maintenance, these fascinating fish can flourish and stand out as a unique addition to any aquarium.

Subspecies

Spiny eel is my second name. The dorsal fin of the fish is covered in prickly spines. Although they rarely grow larger than 20 to 25 centimeters in aquariums, adults can reach 40 centimeters in size in the wild. The color has dark transverse stripes and ranges from yellowish to brown. The back features a pattern of large black spots with a light border, and a light stripe runs along the body.

Among the most exquisite members of the species. Growers hardly ever reach 20 centimeters. The fish’s body is colored mother-of-pearl or light silver with faint transverse stripes. This fish also has a mouth that it can extend to swallow fairly large prey.

The genus’s smallest representative. An adult’s maximum size is no more than 15 cm. The primary body color is light brown, with transverse stripes and patches of beige and cream hues.

Big fish up to a length of 25–30 centimeters. Light brown dominates, with pale yellow stripes running parallel to the side edge. The spinal fin has round, large spots on it.

Adults can reach a maximum size of 20 cm. The body’s predominant hue is light brown. The fin’s back is covered in large black spots. Shell is this macronatus’s second name.

One of the genus’s smallest representatives. Adult fish rarely have bodies longer than 10–12 cm. The body has thin transverse stripes and is light brown or yellowish in color. This particular species of macronatus is fairly aggressive despite its small size.

Large macrognathus, with a maximum body length of 40–45 cm in the wild. In aquarium settings, it seldom grows larger than 30 cm, though. The fish’s body is brown with stripes that lean yellow. Black dots surrounded by white borders adorn the rear fin.

The peculiar eel-like body and fascinating behavior of Macrognathus make it an intriguing species of fish. It can be a fulfilling experience to keep this species in an aquarium, especially for people who enjoy seeing something a little different from the typical aquarium fish.

For these fish to flourish, a particular habitat is needed. Their wellbeing depends on having the right tankmates, enough hiding places, and ideal water conditions. A varied diet that resembles their natural feeding patterns is also beneficial to them.

You can appreciate the beauty and unique character of Macrognathus for many years to come if you are aware of its needs and give it the proper care.

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